Thinking positive is a great attribute, but it has to be anchored
in something solid. Otherwise I think it can be a bit like whistling in the
dark, where one is aware of the dangers and pitfalls all around but wants to exude
confidence and convince oneself that there is no reason to fear. I don’t know
about you, but the times in my life where I’ve been whistling in the dark, my
heart has been pounding out a reverberating cadence.
Far better to whistle in the Light, trusting that because
God is good, he gives good gifts and his desire is for me and not against me, I
can believe that he has my back whatever transpires. I can relax. There is no
need for tension or a pounding heart.
My hope is anchored in God’s perfect love, in his absolute
faithfulness and his encouragement. I can head into an unknown situation with a
confident laugh and expectations high, knowing that although I am not confident
in myself, I am full of confidence in my God. That frees me to embrace the
moment. Every moment I take a breath is a gift from God. Every moment is filled
with nectar and has the potential to bear fruit.
Every beat of my heart brings me closer to the end of a
finite number of beats. I want to enjoy every moment and appreciate every
blessing, and I may be even more aware of these blessings in the challenging
times than when I am in the easy times.
I can’t work up such hope nor convince myself of God’s
faithfulness. But I can ask Him to fill me with his love, joy, peace and hope,
with his Spirit, and that is what he loves to do. All the rest follows.
