The other night I joined a bunch of ladies to hear from my friend Ashlea as she shared God’s intention for women and our role as influencers. I took so many good notes and can’t stop thinking about various aspects of what she shared. We have a power that can be used for good or for very bad in this role... but that’s for another blog.
One thing that she shared that I have been thinking a lot about is “having a culture of radical optimism”. That’s typically right up my alley... but admittedly as life on this earth scuffs me up and bangs me and the people I love around; it can be easy to fall into the role of doubter/pessimist or what some would say “realist”. Are they who they say they are? Shouldn’t I prepare myself for the worst?
Why is it ok and even right for me to be radically optimistic? Well, since I base my life upon the truth of scripture one place I can turn to is 1 Corinthians 13:7 where it says “ Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. The Message version says “always looks for the best”.
I know that the character of God is to be good. I know that He is Love. I know that He can be trusted. I know that we are to Love God and our neighbor... therefore, I must continue to believe for the best in every situation and understand that in my limited understanding the best may not be what I imagine it to be. I do not mean that I forsake discernment or that I will be unwise... in fact I have key people in my life that I turn to to help me find balance in this area ... but may my first reaction be to believe for the best from God and from others.
