How many times have we heard “This is the WORST!” Be it from our teenage children, co-workers, or maybe even ourselves. It’s a statement that is usually very exaggerated with some semblance of truth. But at the end of the day, most of our days could be much worse. What causes us to focus on the negative side of situations instead of the positive? It seems that in this day and age it’s far easier to be cynical, looking at people with a sideways glance as if saying, “What do you want from me?”
This can be very depressing to think about if we know of no alternative. But through the teachings of Jesus we have an alternative, one that delivers us from a sense of hopelessness about life. The wisdom of Jesus teaches that we should “Lay up for ourselves treasure in heaven” (Matt 6:20), where forces of nature and human evil cannot harm what we treasure. Our treasure focuses our heart; “Your heart will be where your treasure is,” Jesus tells us (Matt 6:21). A heart rightly directed towards our heavenly Father sees everything in its true worth and relationship.
This past Sunday Pastor Brian shared a message called “Expecting the Best,” which is part two of our Daring Faith study. David faced a mountain called Goliath; instead of saying “He’s too big to fight,” David said “He’s too big to miss.” You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of Heaven's Armies (1 Samuel 17:45). Where did David get this perspective, this confidence in something far greater than himself? David spent time with his heavenly Father; in the quiet places he allowed God to plant seeds of righteous truth. The seeds broke up through the fertile ground of his heart and allowed him to have an eternal perspective. When faced with this giant before him, he was able to say with confident assurance that God is in control and that because He loves me, I can face this challenge with Daring Faith.
Maybe today or tomorrow something will come across your path that is the “Worst.” We may not be able to control our circumstances, but we can control our response. When we spend time with our heavenly Father, “He will show you which path to take” (Prov. 3:6). For some of you that may mean stopping right now, closing your eyes, taking a deep breath, and listening to the voice of the Lord. It will be a conversation full of hope and truth, lifting your spirit to heights that man could not do. When we “Expect the Best” from God, we give honor to His name and allow His will to be done, not ours.
"May the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows." 1 Thessalonians 3:12
Tags: faith, optimism, confidence, mountain, best, overflow, worst
