This past Sunday at ReVerb, the students were challenged to find Joy and Optimism at all times in life. This challenge is only attainable if we know how to define Joy and Optimism.
When we look to the world for these definitions, it tells us that unless we are rich or famous or pretty or fit, we are missing out on joy and therefore cannot be optimistic in all situations. Biblical joy and optimism are different than what the world gives us.
Kay Warren, author of Choose Joy, defines joy this way:
“Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all details of my life, the quite confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation.”
Optimism is the hopeful outlook on something in the future. Because of Jesus, we can have a hopeful outlook that our future is how God wants it to be and full of that which is best for our life. One of the points of why we are trying to be joyful and optimistic in all situations is because God is with us always. His steadfast love endures forever.
This is where the challenge comes in.
Last week we read Psalm 136, and we saw how God’s steadfast love endures forever. My challenge to you is write 10 lines about your own life in correlation to Psalm 136 and how you can see that God’s steadfast love endures forever. I believe if you take the time to do this exercise you will begin to remember all that God has done for you and you will be able to find Joy and optimism in your life.
My Narrative:
Give thanks to the Lord, for He created me in His image,
for His steadfast love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord, for He understands my inner parts,
for His steadfast love endures forever.
to the Him alone gave me talents and gifts,
for His steadfast love endures forever.
to Him alone who comforted me when my parents divorced,
for His steadfast love endures forever.
To Him alone who set my life up to live in Ohio and be molded into who I am,
for His steadfast love endures forever.
to Him alone who opened up opportunities to find my way to Blacksburg,
for His steadfast love endures forever.
To Him who remembered me in my time of needing peace,
for His steadfast love endures forever.
He who feeds me every day and provides me life,
for His steadfast love endures forever.
Give thanks to God above who sent His Son to be the propitiation for Alex’s sins,
for His steadfast love endures forever.