Sermon On An Outlook On Life

Betty White, an American actress and comedian once remarked: "It's your outlook on life that counts. If you take yourself lightly and don't take yourself too seriously, pretty soon you can find the humor in our everyday lives. And sometimes it can be a lifesaver." 1 John 3:1-2 reminds us: “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.”

An outlook on life is defined as a person’s way of understanding and thinking about their individual existence. It can include personal perspectives, opinions, and viewpoints on differing matters. Life is renowned for its ups and downs, how one copes or handles the set challenges imposed depends largely on either a positive or negative personality characteristic. Finding humor in times of uncertainty or unrest can sometimes seem unreal and the last thing to entertain. The normal thought process of life does not usually allow for the sustenance of such things. To have a pessimistic outlook that displays sorrow or pain is considered by most to be the norm. To be mournful in sorrow reflects its seriousness. But is it the right approach? It has been said that looking at life with a different relativity can ultimately identify its humorous side. Laughter can create freedom, it can relieve pain. It can become the liberation of the mind, body and soul. Proverbs 17:22 reminds us: “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

Life is often considered by many as a constant uphill struggle, it contains its own crevices and ravines which need to be side-stepped along the way. If one manages to reach its mountainous apex, the views and rewards can be spectacular. Everything will be seen in a new light. The clouds dissipate and the sun begins to shine. However, for those who are forced to endure its pitfalls, despair and frustration may become a prominent feature.

Perseverance is critical in both good and bad times to overcome setbacks that may hinder or obstruct life and its forward progression. Romans 5:3-5 reminds us: “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

Adversity can in its way provide a new seedling of life. It may require fresh thought or the creation of a new opening. If adopted graciously, with practical intentions it can make one stronger and more resilient in nature and mind. It teaches and may even inspire. New skills may be gleaned, never before thought possible. A new world may come into existence. Napoleon Hill, an American author once remarked: “Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.” Hebrews 12:1-17 reminds us: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.”