Spiritual Optimism

When times are troubled, we can think they’re the worst. Has it ever been this bad before? And it’s only going downhill, we say.

But history might claim differently. And future begs no.

Because we have the present of today. Now.

In this present, where God lives, we can find . . .

  • Reasons to hope.
  • Reasons to do good.
  • Reasons to move forward.

Because when things look their worst, we most see the need for change.

Seeing the need for change brings opportunity.

We need to change.

When-the-ugly-is-uncovered-choose-love

Unfairness has existed in America since her first days as a united nation. She claimed unity early on, but it wasn’t true. There were people in power and people not in power (and certainly many in between).

Those in power may have claimed unity, but those not in power would have disagreed.

They knew better. They’ve always known. Others haven’t.

Some still don’t.

Things aren’t worse. The ugly parts have always been here.

They’re just still being uncovered. Becoming more visible.

And because of their visibility, we ask God:

  • To change our ugly into lovely.
  • To shift our hate into grace.
  • To turn our wrong into right.

He wants to. If we’ll want to.
He can. If we’ll allow him.
And he will, eventually. Whether we will or not.

Participate or not. Now or later. Therein lies our choice.

May we . . .

  • Choose wisely.
  • Choose grace.
  • Choose love.

Today.

* * *

Where do you see hope in these days? Please share in the comments.

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36 thoughts on “Spiritual Optimism

  1. floyd

    Awesome and wise post, Lisa. We have the gift of free will, all of us, to choose how this can shape our future. “He wants to, IF we’ll want to. Praying for this nation to turn Him to allow His love to shine.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      My prayers join with yours, Floyd. May we allow his love to shine! I’d guess far more people want things to get better than don’t. Lord, have mercy on our feeble efforts to follow through.

  2. ~ linda

    There truly is hope in the eyes of many children, in the birth of a new baby, in the love from another, in the gentle touch of the one I love, in laughter, in caring, in so many ways. BUT…we tend not to see that when all we see on the media and in the air is hatred and anger and fear and….so much more. Yet, God’s sunrises each morning is color enough for hope. God’s Truth in His Word is overflowing with hope. May we have our eyes and ears open to God, Who is in control.
    Thank you for a piece we all need these days.
    Caring through Christ, ~ linda

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      What a beautiful list, Linda. If we’ll take breaks from our media and get back into our real lives, we’re more apt to see that laughter and gentle touches and children, etc. I love this: “God’s sunrises each morning is color enough for hope.” Amen.

  3. Elizabeth

    Sometimes I fear I’m becoming the “old lady” wishing for the good old days when things were simpler. But, you are right, the problems of mankind have been there since the fall. My part is to choose God and His ways, to walk in His plans and purposes, in the here and now.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Yes, Elizabeth, if we each do our part (and I love what you’ve chosen as “your” part!–may we all follow your example), how beautiful this world could be.

  4. June

    Amen, my friend! Where do I see hope? I see hope in people like you and the stories you share here on this blog. I find hope in other stories. Real life stories. The truth and goodness that they don’t show us on the evening news. It’s out there. It’s real – you just have to look for it. Blessings on your week, Lisa!

  5. Kelly Chripczuk

    Thanks for this Lisa. I agree, what is being uncovered in these days is heartbreaking, but light shining on darkness first reveals what’s wrong, then sheds light on a way forward. May we persevere in making crooked paths straight again wherever we see them.

  6. Beth

    I know that the only way to get through this dark chapter in our nation’s history is to examine my own heart and make changes there. I think that’s what you are saying so eloquently, Lisa, and I am linking arms to join you in this optimistic journey! We have a great big God who has redemption always on His mind and flowing from His fingertips.

  7. Michele Morin

    These are light-bearing words, Lisa.
    In our technologically advanced world, we see so much, hear so much, and are privy to everyone’s opinion of just about everything. Your words remind me of the importance of quiet reflection and seeking the wisdom of God in the midst of the maelstrom.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      I wonder sometimes if we see and hear too much (and definitely SAY too much, ha). But God knows all and he’s not discouraged so we shouldn’t be either. I seek his wisdom with you, Michele. Thanks for your gentle attitude.

  8. Carol

    Great post. Tonight I sat in my lawn swing in the front yard of our teeny-tiny rental in a new and unknown neighborhood. A little girl came out of nowhere and while the teacher in me was disturbed that she hung out and played with our puppy for an inordinate amount of time, another part of me thought it was so cool that she had no fear, no prejudice, no hesitation to just love. If we could all be that way…

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Oh, if we could all be that way. How beautiful that you got to witness that moment. Those moments in time renew our hope that one person at a time, things can change. Thanks for sharing this story, Carol.

  9. Bill (cycleguy)

    There is hope. It just won’t be found in the daily media garbage we get to read. They have an agenda and it isn’t to offer hope. I choose to offer hope by getting involved with people. Then I can give them Jesus.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      That’s the way to do it, Bill. May we all do likewise by staying engaged with the people we are strategically positioned to love on. None of our relationships are by accident, and God can use each of them for healing.

  10. Kelly Basham

    Great post Lisa. I see hope when I look at my children. They are young adults and have so much ahead of them. It’s my hope that as they make make their way through this world they change it a little bit as they follow hard after Jesus.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      I see such hope in the generation that is coming up also. I watched a video this morning of an 8th grade boy acknowledging his White Boy Privilege and wanting to work to help everyone have the same advantages he does. Each generation moves us another step away from the racial inequalities that our country has perpetuated for years. May God bless your children and mine as they change the world.

  11. Sharon

    Lisa, thank you for this today. I’ve been struggling with some *troubled times* lately, and I just want it to stop. Nervous Nellie and Negative Nora (the twins who live in my head) have been quite noisy lately. Sometimes I feel like this time will never be over, and hope seems like a vapor.

    But I love these words from Lamentations:

    “I will never forget this awful time,
    as I grieve over my loss.
    Yet I still dare to hope
    when I remember this:
    The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
    His mercies never cease.
    Great is his faithfulness;
    his mercies begin afresh each morning.”

    For me, that sums up the true meaning of hope:

    H olding
    O n
    P eacefully and
    E ternally

    Acknowledge the troubles, but don’t stop there. Knowing God, relying on Him, in the middle of the storm, is the raft that will float us through them.

    GOD BLESS!

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      This is a full blog post all in its own, Sharon. Beautiful. Realistic yet hope-filled! Thanks, friend, for leaving this message here in this space. It blesses.

  12. Debbie

    Wonderful and fitting post, Lisa. Does seem a little hopeless doesn’t it? I turn to God and pray my little heart out. I wouldn’t survive without my faith. Let’s pray love will win out sooner rather than later ((hugs & love))

  13. Betsy de Cruz

    This is beautiful, Lisa. So good to remember that we always hope. That’s for your optimistic words today, friend. All we can do is change ourselves and choose love. This is important.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Thanks, Betsy. I don’t always practice what I preach, but I do want to always remember to hope. It’s our birthright. So grateful for the cross and for grace that reminds us to choose hope. And yes, to choose love!

  14. Lori Schumaker

    Choose love and choose to let Jesus in giving us hope and giving us a future. Thank you, Lisa! Your perspective always encourages me and gives me cause to think! I so love the hope you share each week at #MomentsofHope! Thank you for filling Mondsys with the inexhaustible hope of Jesus!!
    Blessings,
    Lori

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      We’re on the same page, Lori. Sometimes I need to be reminded to hope because I can forget. It’s good to hear the message from many different places!

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