Are You Optimistic? By Lane Jordan Burday

Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you… and the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5: 7, 10 NIV

You may have heard of this story. There were twin five-year-old boys, one a pessimist and the other an optimist. A perfect combination for studying! Their parents took them to a psychiatrist to see why they were so different.

The psychiatrist took the pessimist to a room that was full of new toys—toys on shelves, on the play tables, and riding toys on the floor. But instead of being thrilled and running to play with them, the little boy burst into tears.

Confused, the psychiatrist asked, “Don’t you want to play with these toys?”

“Yes,” the little boy cried, “but if I did, I’d only break or lose them.”

Next, the doctor took the optimist twin to a room with a mound of horse poo in the center. The boy, instead of getting upset, yelled in delight and started running around the room looking in corners and closets. “What are you looking for and why are you so happy?” the psychiatrist asked.

“Well,” said the boy, beaming, “There’s got to be a pony in here somewhere!”

Since I have always wanted a horse my whole life, I certainly understand the second boy’s reaction. But what do we do in real life when all we have is ‘poo’?

God says in His Word to consider all trials a joy: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trails of many kinds” (James 1:2). Life certainly delivers us more of the bad at times than good, so how we react and how we focus our attention is what will make the difference in our life.

The song, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things on earth will grow strangle dim in the light of His glory and grace.” * In other words, when we focus on God who is in control and who loves us, our thoughts will leave from whatever is troubling us.

I know many of you may have great sickness in your, or a loved one’s life. Bills may be pilling up, a job may be lost, a child or grandchild is on drugs, and we are on our knees. I don’t want trials to sound easy. They are not. But we can be assured God cares greatly for you and me.

1 Peter 5:7 says to “Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.” We need to give all our cares to God because He is on His throne! He knows the future and He has it all under control. I know there are times that it doesn’t look like anything could help us, but God can and will.

I pray that today will be a beautiful day full of joy, love, and laughter. But if you come across ‘poo’ then I pray you will remember to turn your focus on God and pray for His help. God promises to never leave you.

• Hymn was written by Helen Howarth Lemmel, and called “The Heavenly Vision”

Lane Jordan-Burday is the Pearls of Promise Ministries Prayer Co-Coordinator; POP Talk TV and Radio Co-Host and Writer. She is also is an award-winning and best-selling author of over ten adult and children’s books. She is a speaker with Stonecroft Ministries, seminar leader, professional life coach, Bible teacher, and artist. She served as the Associate Producer for the program In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley. She prays for women to come to know the Lord is God!

Lane’s latest book, Evangeline, is a historical fiction based on the book of Esther. You can reach Lane at: lane@lanejordanministries.com. Her website is: www.LaneJordanMinistries.com.