Radical Optimism

I have always been a glass half full kind of girl.  I generally trust people and see the good in them until proven otherwise rather than being skeptical.  Maybe some would say to the point of naivete in some situations... but I have always liked this quality in myself.

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.