WHY I AM AN OPTIMIST THIS 2017
INTRODUCTION:
Happy New Year to everyone.
Welcome to 2017.
A bright new year is ahead of us.
I wonder if you have the same feeling or outlook in this year as I do.
Many years ago, former President Reagan in his news conference at the start of the new year declared to the world,
"You can look pessimistically on the world today or you can look optimistically " he said, "I chose the optimistic look."
That is true. You can choose to be an optimist for the entire year or you can be a pessimist.
Your outlook will determine your ultimate destiny for your life.
Here is a picture of a person walking down the field - his outlook on the field can either be dry or green.
There is a big difference between an optimist and a pessimist person.
A story is told of two identical twins who were alike in every way except one thing.
One was a hope-filled optimist who only saw the bright side of life.
While the other was a pessimist, who only saw the dark side in every situation.
The parents were so worried about the extremes of optimism and pessimism in their boys that they seek the advice of a psychologist.
The psychologist suggested a plan of action.
"On their next birthday, give the pessimist a shiny new bike, but give the optimist only a pile of manure and watch their reaction.
Hopefully, this will bring them to a new balance."
It seemed a fairly extreme thing to do, but there is no harm in trying.
After all, the parents had always treated their boys equally in the past.
But in this instance, they will try to follow the psychologist's advice.
So, when the twin's birthday came, they gave the pessimist the most expensive, top of the line, racing bike a child has ever wanted.
But when he saw the bike, his first words were, "I'll probably crash and break my leg."
However, to the optimist, they gave a carefully wrapped box of manure.
He opened it, looked puzzled for a moment, then ran outside and screaming,
"You can't fool me! Where there's this much manure, there's just gotta be a pony around here somewhere!"
That is an optimist. Even in a box of manure, he could see a pony!
According to the Thesaurus, being an optimistic person is someone who believes positively and favorably at life.
Therefore, this thought prompts him to have a cheerful countenance, confident and a buoyant attitude at all times.
He sees the opportunity in every difficulty.
It is good to be an optimist in life.
While a pessimistic person is someone who is always expecting a bad outcome of the situation.
Such outlook will prompt him to be more depressed, despondent and discouraged at life.
He sees the difficulty in every opportunity.
It is not good to live with a pessimistic person.
I heard about a story of two convicts in prison who were looking out at the same window one night.
The pessimist only saw the dry ground with all its dirt and darkness but the optimist saw the stars with all its light and brightness.
We must always look at the brighter side of life.
I heard about one man suffering from deep depression and decided to commit suicide.
He jumped off one of those tall buildings about 70 stories high.
But as he was going down, he became more and more optimistic.
When he passed the tenth floor, somebody from the window asked him, "How are you doing?"
He said, "I'm doing all right, so far!"
But of course, it was too late.
His pessimism has taken it's toll.
The London bridge at night is beautiful and majestic.
But you could be attracted to it by the force of darkness or by the power of light.
There was a man who was getting ready to commit suicide.
He wanted to jump off the London bridge to kill himself.
Suddenly there was a policeman who saw him.
"Wait, wait, wait. Don't do that. Don't jump. I'll come and help you."
And so, the policeman climbed up the bridge and sat down beside him and tried to help him and counsel him and tell him not to jump.
And so, the man told the policeman all of his troubles.
And they both jumped in.
Discouragement is infectious.
I supposed, that's the way some psychiatrist or some psychologist feel today.
We can easily be affected emotionally when we hear the sad stories of people regarding their troubles, their trials and tribulations.
Those broken homes, those drug addictions, those run-away children that are told over an dover again can make a pessimist out of us.
When we read and receive those negative news from the papers our thoughts and mood pattern changes.
For instance, here are some of the headlines from the recent newspaper clippings that can make one a pessimist.
"Terrorist Attack!, 24 Hours of Terror!, This is War!"
Who would want to read those headlines?
Now, here is the thing, my brothers and sisters.
Today is the first day of 2017.
We don't know what lies ahead in this new year.
When you read those negative newspaper headlines,
Just like Reagan, you can look pessimistically on the world today or you can look optimistically.
I choose to be optimistic as we begin the New year 2017.
I think it will be a great year ahead.
If there is a manure, I believe there is a pony somewhere in the distant.
And so, we will learn from Jesus three important reasons why can can be an optimist.
WHY WE CAN HAVE AN OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK THIS 2017?
1. BECAUSE CHRIST IS WITH US. Matthew 14:27(NIV) 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
The first reason why we can have an optimistic look this New Year is that Christ's presence makes a big difference.
Jesus said to His disciples, "Take courage or Cheer up! It is I! Don't be afraid!"
The background of the story.
Jesus made the disciples get into the boat to go ahead of him to the other side.
Then, after he had dismissed the crowd who had been following them, Jesus went up to the mountain side all by Himself in order to pray.
That is the source of optimism that we could learn from Jesus - prayer, constant communion with God.
The more we pray, the more we can become an optimist.
Then, after spending much time in prayer, evening came and he was left all alone.
Because the boat where the disciples were was already a considerable distance from land.
In fact, the boat was being buffeted by the waves because of the strong winds.
Having prayed to God, Jesus, now an optimist, went out to meet them by walking on the lake.
That is what optimist can do - you can walk through water miraculously by the power of God.
But when the disciples saw Him walking on the lake, they were all terrified.
"It's a ghost!", they said and they all cried out in fear.
You see, the disciples were all pessimists that they always see a ghost in every dark corner.
That is when Jesus spoke these words in verse 27 "Take courage! It is I! Don't be afraid!"
It was one of the most comforting and encouraging words that Jesus spoke.
It was a word full of assurance and confidence to those who are fearful.
As if Jesus was saying to them and to us, "Come on! Be an optimist. I am not a ghost. I am here by your side.
There is nothing to be afraid of when I am beside you!"
And that is true.
When storms come, people who have a pessimistic attitudes at life will always see a ghost and become afraid.
And mind you, there might be a lot of storms that will come this 2017 in our lives and in our nation, in the economy and in politics.
But regardless of the storms and the strong winds that can come in our lives this new year of 2017, Christ is with us.
He is beside us.
There is nothing to be afraid of.
There is nothing to be worried about.
We must believe in Him and be encouraged fully that everything will turn out well.
I remember the story of an old man who went to see his pastor one day and said,
"Pastor, I am retired and I am consumed with worry about the future.
It seems like every time I open the newspaper, they are talking about the terrible state of the country and the economy,
and I wonder if I'm going to have enough to live on in my old age. I know I shouldn't worry so much, but I can't seem to help it."
This is the storm of financial uncertainty that can come suddenly to anyone's life.
When Christ is with you, you need not have to worry.
Take courage. Christ is with us. Don't be afraid.
Somebody said, "My husband and I have been married for many years but we argue a lot. I am afraid that I might lose him in the future."
This is the storm of relationship problems that can come to any marriage.
When Christ is in the center of your marriage, you need not have to worry because Christ will give you wisdom on what to do and what to say.
Take courage. Christ is with us. Don't be afraid.
This brings us to
LESSON NO. 1 WHEN STORMS SEEM OVERWHELMING, WE MUST BE STRONG.
Psalm 56:3(NIV) " When I am afraid, I put my trust in you."
Corrie Ten Boon said, "When Christ is in the heart, the worst can happen but the best is yet to be."
You see, a pessimist will focus on the many problems confronting him but an optimist will only focus on Christ who will help him solve those problems.
The Psalmist advised us to put our trust in Christ when we are afraid.
That means, to think only of Christ and we will make it through each day.
There is always a reason why God allows storms to enter our lives.
When we face those storms, we learn some spiritual lessons along the way and we grow spiritually.
And as we grow, we help others grow as well.
No matter what kind of storms you are facing right now, remember that the storms of your life will prove the strength of our anchor.
And our anchor is secured and strong in Christ our Lord and Savior.
One day, you will see those storms will subside.
Here are some important Scripture verses we need to claim this year regarding Christ's presence.
Exodus 33:14 14 The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.
Genesis 28:15 15 I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
Psalms 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Here are some quotes worthy to remember for the new year:
"If you want to succeed, the rule is always to look ahead."
"As the new year starts, don't look back on yesterday's disappointments. Look ahead to God's promises about to unfold before you."
"No matter what happened in 2016, the new year ahead offers the opportunity to start again: Better, Stronger and Wiser."
"Transform all your efforts into great achievements this New Year!"
Firstly, we learned that we can have an optimistic outlook this 2017 because Christ is with us.
Secondly, we can b optimistic...
2. BECAUSE OUR SINS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN
Matthew 9:2(NIV) 2 Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”
The second reason why we can have an optimistic outlook this New year of 2017 is that our sins have been forgiven.
Here in this passage, we find Jesus face to face with a paralytic man.
According to medical.net, paralysis is a condition involving a loss of muscle function in the body such as loss of feeling due to the disabling of the nerves or damage of the motor function of the body.
Some causes of paralysis are due to stroke, severe trauma, cerebral palsy, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis.
Paralysis can make a pessimist out of a person, no doubt about it.
Because he cannot move, he cannot walk or stand up without the help of others.
And sin can make a paralysis out of our spiritual walk with God.
When a person is living in sin, he has totally abandoned his dream of serving and doing great things for God.
That is why we must bring people to Christ because they have no ability to do so in their own strength.
The paralytic was carried by four men who brought him to Jesus through the roof believing that only Jesus can heal him.
And so, when Jesus came face to face with this paralytic man, He looked not only at his faith but to those who brought him there.
It is said in verse 2 that when Jesus saw their faith, He said to the man, "Take heart, or be of good cheer! your sins are forgiven!"
Jesus was giving them words of optimism to heal his paralytic condition.
Take heart and be of good cheer.
Your sins have been forgiven.
You have been set free. You can be strong and walk again and accomplish your dreams.
This is the second reason why we can be an optimist this New year.
However, in verse 3, we find that some of the teachers of the law present at that time were very pessimistic and in fact criticized Jesus.
They were trying to infect their pessimistic outlook even to the paralytic.
Instead of being happy that the paralytic has a chance of being forgiven from his sins, they shouted and wailed, "This fellow is blaspheming!"
They attacked the source of healing.
They don't believe that Jesus can have the power to forgive their sins.
But we believe in the power and the authority of Jesus.
We believe that nothing is impossible with the Lord.
Not only can Jesus can forgive our sins but He also know our thoughts.
And so, Jesus responded to these pessimistic critics, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?
There you have it. Pessimism will always start with an evil thought.
Then, Jesus continued.
"Which is easier to say, Your sins are forgiven or to say, "Get up and walk? So that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins, He said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home."
Jesus was an optimist.
He believed that a paralyzed man can be healed and so can we.
And so, the man received the words of encouragement that gave him life, stood up and went home rejoicing.
Brothers and sisters, sin is a fatal disease that makes each of us a depressed pessimist.
Because of our sin, our minds are darkened, always discouraged and disheartened.
We are like that paralytic man who cannot walk and stand up but need the help from others.
Sin can infect our minds with too much guilt.
There are people who don't know how to handle their guilty conscience and kill themselves.
There is Good News for all of us.
We can be set free from sin and guilt.
This brings us to LESSON NO. 2 WHEN GUILT ATTACK OUR MINDS, WE MUST HAVE FAITH ON GOD'S FORGIVENESS
1 John 1:9(NIV) 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sinsand purify us from all unrighteousness."
When you are being attacked by a guilty conscience, come to Christ.
Confess your sins and He will purify your thoughts from any unrighteousness.
He will change your mind from being a pessimist to becoming an optimist.
He will forgive all your sins, cleanse all your past failures and mistakes.
He will correct your life and give you faith to believe.
Believe in God's forgiveness and forgive yourself.
His redemptive life and His sacrifice at the cross is sufficient for the atonement for all our sins.
When we accept Him as Lord and Savior and ask His forgiveness, guilt can no longer attack our minds.
We are no longer paralyzed by the destructive effects of sin.
"Take heart, or be of good cheer! your sins are forgiven!"
We can make a fresh start this New year.
There was this story of man named Akran who worked as a servant in a rich man's mansion.
He used to do various domestic works.
But he had a bad habit.
Each time he was alone, he would steal something to eat.
One day, the owner's family went to attend a wedding.
Soon Akran was all alone in the house.
He went into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator.
There he, drank some juice and ate some sweets.
He saw two oranges and ate them.
Just then the doorbell rang.
Akran got scared. He thought, "Oh! May be the owner has come. What do I do with these orange peels?
If I stay to hide them I'll be late at the door. If I keep them here I'll be caught."
He was so overcome with guilt that Akran ate up the orange peels too and then he opened the door.
But to Akrans disappointment, there was a postman to deliver a registered letter.
When he left, Akran thought, "A thief is always afraid of being caught. Today that fear made me eat the orange peels too. I'll never steal food from today."
He overcame his guilt and he learned the value of righteous living.
In the same manner, when you overcome your guilt through God's forgiveness, you will be restored and become an optimist.
Here are some Scriptures that talks about God's forgiveness and the change to becoming an optimist.
Isaiah 1:18 (NIV) " “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
2 Corinthians 4:6 (NIV) " 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
Quotes: "No amount of guilt can change the past and no amount of worrying can change the future."
"Forgiving yourself is as important as forgiving others. Guilt is toxic, reliving the mistake over and over. Love yourself. Forgive yourself."
We can have an optimistic outlook this 2017 because Christ is with us.
We can have an optimistic outlook this 2017 because mys ins have been forgiven.
Thirdly, we can have an optimistic outlook this 2017...
3. BECAUSE CHRIST HAS OVERCOME THE WORLD.
John 16:33(NIV) 33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Jesus was about to be betrayed by one of his disciples.
He was about to face the crucifixion and the agony of the cross.
And so, for the last time, he gathered his disciples in the upper room to give them the last minute instructions.
He told them about the Holy Spirit as the Comforter who will teach them into all the truth.
He told them that the world hated him, and so, the world will hate them as well.
He told them that there will be many persecutions ahead of them.
But in the midst of all these, he told them that they will have peace.
"Take heart for I have overcome the world!" He said.
There will be troubles and difficulties in the end times.
We are living on the end times.
A lot of prophecies are being fulfilled.
Christ may come anytime.
But take heart.
Because Christ has overcome the world, we can have peace.
We will not be overcome by the troubles around us.
This brings us to LESSON NO. 3 WHEN TROUBLES ASSAULT OUR HEARTS, WE MUST MAINTAIN OUR PEACE.
Psalm 27:1(NIV) The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?
Christ will make us an overcomer this year.
Only those who are optimists can achieve their dreams to reality for God.
Let us review hat we have learned:
We can be an optimist this 2017...
Because Christ is with us.
Therefore, when storms seem overwhelming, I will be strong.
Because Our sins have been forgiven.
Therefore, when guilt attack my mind, I will have faith that God has already forgiven me.
Because Christ has overcome the world.
Therefore, when troubles assault my heart, I will maintain my peace of mind.
Let us look positively and favorably at life this new year as we wait for the coming of the Lord.
I will end with this quote from Daniel Kahneman
"It's a wonderful thing to be optimistic. It keeps you healthy and it keeps you resilient!"
Let us pray...
Pray for the application of the truths that we have learned today.
Pray also for fresh commitment to serve Christ.
END...
