Not all optimists are believers. And not all believers are optimists. But the optimistic believer is a dynamite duo.
Think about a perpetual optimist you know. (Perhaps it’s you!) When confronted with a challenge, a bold smile and a cheery word are their natural response. They do not possess the ability to mumble and they do not know the meaning of despair. Their shoulders are buoyant without burden and their voices are as sing-song bright as a bird’s delight.
Do you know a person of rock-solid faith? These people are firm. Steady. Immovable. Their goal is not to prove themselves to the world, but rather to take the world as it comes, living for an “audience of One.” Their faith is not for show, but when it does emerge, it humbly calls for company. Doubters and skeptics are helplessly attracted to the pure peace they radiate.
When is an optimist not a believer? When she looks at the bright side of life but refuses to acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. She is a poster child for secular self-help books and articles about changing your life through “the power of positive thinking.”
When is a believer not an optimist? When he has entrusted himself to Jesus Christ but continues to respond to life’s challenges with fear, anxiety, and doubt. He has not let his faith out of its small, Sunday-sized box or let it permeate every nook and cranny of daily, real life.
The optimistic believer, however, is a joyful combination of a deeply rooted faith that shows itself in a spirited, lighthearted approach to even the most trying circumstances. It’s not fake. It’s not shallow. It is a tangible faith that is completely confident in what is hoped for and assured of what is not seen (Hebrews 11:1). This is the person who says with confidence, “‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:6).
I encourage you: be an optimistic believer. Let Christ have the victory in your life. And “do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded” (Hebrews 10:35).
A fox who lived in the deep forest of long ago had lost its front legs. No one knew how: perhaps escaping from a trap. A man who lived on the edge of the forest , seeing the fox from time to time, wondered how in the world it managed to get its food. One day when the fox was not far from him he had to hide himself quickly because a tiger was approaching. The tiger had fresh game in its claws. Lying down on the ground, it ate its fill, leaving the rest for the fox.
Again the next day the great Provider of this world sent provisions to the fox by this same tiger. The man began to think: "If this fox is taken care of in this mysterious way, its food sent by some unseen Higher Power, why don't I just rest in a corner and have my daily meal provided for me?"
Because he had a lot of faith, he let the days pass, waiting for food. Nothing happened. He just went on losing weight and strength until he was nearly a skeleton. Close to losing consciousness, he heard a Voice which said: "O you, who have mistaken the way, see now the Truth! You should have followed the example of that tiger instead of imitating the disabled fox."
Reflection Questions
In what ways do you feel like the disabled fox?
In what ways do you feel like the tiger?
Who is the "Voice" in this story?
Is it okay for the disabled fox to continue living, or would it be better off either dead or never alive in the first place?
Are there any people in your life who are like the disabled fox, but you wish they were more like the tiger?
Heavenly Father, my life is in Your hands. Yesterday, today, and forever, I am safe and secure in You. Lord, please help me to know that You are in control. Help me to believe You are at work in my life right now, even when I don't see it. Help me to trust in what I do not see, when what I see is so painful. Please help me to know You are taking care of my needs.
Lord, thank You for listening to my cries for help. Thank You for loving me so much. Help me to believe You and the promises You have made. Forgive me when I doubt You and Your love. I believe, Lord. Forgive me for my unbelief.
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8
There's no love more precious, more costly, more kingly. There's no love that's greater- that's more wonderful, more wild, more passionate, more powerful- than the love of Jesus.
Believe, receive, and rejoice forever in the greatest love the world has ever known!
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38, 39 NASB
Father God, show me Your path, teach me Your ways. My heart’s deepest desire is to know You and to be known by You. You are my King, and I humbly submit my ways to You. Thank You for Your goodness and faithfulness in my life in Jesus’ name. Amen
Father in heaven, I surrender every area of my life to You. I hunger for every single thing You have in store for me. I choose to trust You out in the deep waters knowing that You have good things in store for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Hi, friends! Sometimes we just need to count our blessings in life. We all have our share of problems, some more than others, but we're still very blessed. We're blessed to have a loving Savior who promises us eternal life. Let's focus on the blessings in our lives today. Have a wonderful, safe day =)
Father in heaven, I yield myself to You today. Search me and know my heart. Use me for Your glory. Let me be a beacon of Your love and light everywhere I go. Show me who to pray for and let Your healing virtue flow through me in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Hi my dear Richard, you just put a smile on my face this morning!;)
Yes,I'm very happy I encountered this site and a met beautiful family in Christ!
Now that u offer assistance,expect that I will really ask countless of questions and advice.lol.Thank u so much!You are wonderful.God bless u in everything you do!
Hi brother Richard, u r very welcome and I'm so happy too you accepted my request! and yes, I'm excited to share with u!I pray that God's anointing be with u always :) Ella,
hi richard thank you for your reply i was very pleased to recieve it im only a new christian so i need all the help i can get from people as you worship god id want to be like that so im sure you can help me, thank you so much, jan
Hello there. Your message made me smile today.I appreciate that.Thanks a lot.Oh yeah, Filipino food! so yummy! and i love it that you love it.hehehe.Have a great day!
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Richard L. Broch, Sr.'s Comments
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OPTIMISTIC BELIEVER
Not all optimists are believers. And not all believers are optimists. But the optimistic believer is a dynamite duo.
Think about a perpetual optimist you know. (Perhaps it’s you!) When confronted with a challenge, a bold smile and a cheery word are their natural response. They do not possess the ability to mumble and they do not know the meaning of despair. Their shoulders are buoyant without burden and their voices are as sing-song bright as a bird’s delight.
Do you know a person of rock-solid faith? These people are firm. Steady. Immovable. Their goal is not to prove themselves to the world, but rather to take the world as it comes, living for an “audience of One.” Their faith is not for show, but when it does emerge, it humbly calls for company. Doubters and skeptics are helplessly attracted to the pure peace they radiate.
When is an optimist not a believer? When she looks at the bright side of life but refuses to acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. She is a poster child for secular self-help books and articles about changing your life through “the power of positive thinking.”
When is a believer not an optimist? When he has entrusted himself to Jesus Christ but continues to respond to life’s challenges with fear, anxiety, and doubt. He has not let his faith out of its small, Sunday-sized box or let it permeate every nook and cranny of daily, real life.
The optimistic believer, however, is a joyful combination of a deeply rooted faith that shows itself in a spirited, lighthearted approach to even the most trying circumstances. It’s not fake. It’s not shallow. It is a tangible faith that is completely confident in what is hoped for and assured of what is not seen (Hebrews 11:1). This is the person who says with confidence, “‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:6).
I encourage you: be an optimistic believer. Let Christ have the victory in your life. And “do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded” (Hebrews 10:35).
From Tale of the Reed Pipe By Massud Farzan
A fox who lived in the deep forest of long ago had lost its front legs. No one knew how: perhaps escaping from a trap. A man who lived on the edge of the forest , seeing the fox from time to time, wondered how in the world it managed to get its food. One day when the fox was not far from him he had to hide himself quickly because a tiger was approaching. The tiger had fresh game in its claws. Lying down on the ground, it ate its fill, leaving the rest for the fox.
Again the next day the great Provider of this world sent provisions to the fox by this same tiger. The man began to think: "If this fox is taken care of in this mysterious way, its food sent by some unseen Higher Power, why don't I just rest in a corner and have my daily meal provided for me?"
Because he had a lot of faith, he let the days pass, waiting for food. Nothing happened. He just went on losing weight and strength until he was nearly a skeleton. Close to losing consciousness, he heard a Voice which said: "O you, who have mistaken the way, see now the Truth! You should have followed the example of that tiger instead of imitating the disabled fox."
Reflection Questions
Heavenly Father, my life is in Your hands.
Yesterday, today, and forever, I am safe and secure in You.
Lord, please help me to know that You are in control.
Help me to believe You are at work in my life right now,
even when I don't see it.
Help me to trust in what I do not see,
when what I see is so painful.
Please help me to know You are taking care of my needs.
Lord, thank You for listening to my cries for help.
Thank You for loving me so much.
Help me to believe You and the promises You have made.
Forgive me when I doubt You and Your love.
I believe, Lord. Forgive me for my unbelief.
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.
Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8
Dear Pastor Broch.Sr,
Pastor, please visit us here in the Philippines to minister to us.
In Christ,
Pastor Remegio C.Blanco
www.harvesterschristian.homestead.com
There's no love more precious,
more costly, more kingly.
There's no love that's greater-
that's more wonderful, more wild,
more passionate, more powerful-
than the love of Jesus.
Believe, receive, and rejoice forever in the greatest love the world has ever known!
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38, 39 NASB
on Track
(Psalm 25:4, NKJV)
If our greatest need had been information,
God would have sent us an educator.
If our greatest need had been technology,
God would have sent us a scientist.
If our greatest need had been money,
God would have sent us an economist.
If our greatest need had been pleasure,
God would have sent us an entertainer.
But our greatest need was forgiveness,
so God sent us a Saviour.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father in heaven, I yield myself to You today. Search me and know my heart. Use me for Your glory. Let me be a beacon of Your love and light everywhere I go. Show me who to pray for and let Your healing virtue flow through me in Jesus’ name. Amen.
thanks for reading my blog.........
Yes,I'm very happy I encountered this site and a met beautiful family in Christ!
Now that u offer assistance,expect that I will really ask countless of questions and advice.lol.Thank u so much!You are wonderful.God bless u in everything you do!
hi richard thank you for your reply i was very pleased to recieve it im only a new christian so i need all the help i can get from people as you worship god id want to be like that so im sure you can help me, thank you so much, jan
Hello there. Your message made me smile today.I appreciate that.Thanks a lot.Oh yeah, Filipino food! so yummy! and i love it that you love it.hehehe.Have a great day!
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