What's In Your Glass?

You hold 4 ounces of water in an 8 ounce glass; how do you describe it? Are you the optimist who sees your glass as half-full or the pessimist who sees it as half-empty?

Both experience the same event- the glass of water- but view it quite differently. Studies consistently show that this variance in perspective has a strong correlation on effectively managing stress. By focusing on the positive aspects, the optimist is more prepared to weather life’s challenges. But there is an even better way.

In 2 Kings, Elisha and his attendant wake to imminent danger. The Aramean army has surrounded the city in order to seize the prophet. The attendant, clearly a pessimist, is overwhelmed by fear.  An optimist would have remained hopeful that there could be a way out. Either way, the attendant’s response was based on what he could see.    

Elisha’s reaction differed. He viewed the situation through what he knew as truth not his eyes. He held faith in who was on his side and in the promises he’d been given. When the supernatural veil was removed, the attendant was afforded a momentary glimpse into what had always been there.  Beyond the limitations of his human eyes, a heavenly army encircled them. Nothing could stand against it.   

The same is true when we look at the glass of water. Human vision limits us to what we can see. But the glass is neither half-empty nor half-full. It is completely full. Though half is filled with water, the other half is filled with air. Human limitation does not alter the truth of what is.

When the challenges of life arise, reach for the perfect stress management tool. Instead of relying on any human perspective, reach for God’s. Though His ways are often beyond our sight and comprehension, at all times He remains good and firmly in control.  


Message for the Journey:

In fear, the pessimist sees his glass as half-empty. In hope, the optimist sees his glass as half-full. In faith, the child of God’s remains confident, that no matter what his eye’s can see, his glass is filled to overflowing.

                                                                                                                      ©Ann Wilds



“My cup overflows with blessings.” Proverbs 23:5b

The Heart of Valentine's Day

School children carry their Valentine boxes back to their desks in eager anticipation of discovering the treasures inside. Sparkles of delight dance in their eyes mirrored by the glittery hearts created by small hands to transform everyday shoe boxes into chests of treasure. What will they discover inside?

For ages, both children and adults have exchanged cards and gifts at Valentine’s Day to show their love and affection. And what better time than February, the month of love, to reflect on the greatest love of all?

A group of scholars once debated what the key difference was between Christianity and all other world religions. They pondered for hours unable to reach a consensus until a single man entered the room. Overhearing their discussion he spoke up, “That’s easy. It’s grace.” And C. S. Lewis was exactly right.
 
Grace, the unwarranted favor that God so freely gives us, is not found elsewhere. All other religions require works of some kind to be in right standing. It seems unreasonable to man that he should have the Creator’s affection without first having earned it. Yet, it is that very nature that sets Him apart and shows that He is inherently God. When we create gods in our own image they reflect our nature not His true one. The grace that God pours out on us is the perfect picture of love in action given to those who deserve the very opposite. His love for us is unconditional.

When Jesus died on the cross in our place it was not the Jews or the Romans who crucified Him. It wasn’t nails that held Him to the cross. It was but one thing- love. His love for us is so great that He held nothing back. And that is the most wonderful Valentine treasure of all. It’s there in each of our Valentine boxes just waiting to be opened not just on February 14th but every day of the year.

May God’s great love fill your heart and home spilling over into the world around you.  
                                                                        

Happy Valentine’s Day!
Ann
 
©Ann Wilds
(first published 2-14-2011)

The Traits of a Good Leader

You can't lead if you don't know the way. 



We have a new four-legged addition in our family. A rescue, Pippin, is about two years old but acts much like a puppy. He came with a loving, goofy personality but not a lot of manners. Amongst the things we are trying to teach him is how to walk on a leash. He must have herding dog in him because not only does he want to pull but he tries toguide as well. He wants to have the lead as the rest of us follow. But that doesn’t work very well - not only is he not the Alpha- he has no idea where we’re going.

During one particular walk he was more insistent than ever. No matter which way I turned us, he leaned against me or pulled to get Gracie and me to go another way. As Icorrected him said, “Pippin, you can't lead; you don't know where we're going.”

And that’s when it hit me. How many times has God said those words to me, to you? We want to take off down the road that – in our eyes- seems right. Somewhere inside there is a part of us that still clings to the false belief that we can lead as well, if not better, than He. In those moments, we overlook the necessary traits of a leader-authority and knowledge. We forget that we are not Alpha nor do we know His way. We’re not the only ones who struggle with this. 

Moses tried to take the lead by standing up for the abused Israelite slave in Egypt. In doing so, he killed a man and fled his palace home living in exile for forty years.  But when he fully allowed God to lead, he returned and helped free his people.

Peter tried to take the lead when he countered Jesus’ prophecy of His upcoming passion, crucifixion and resurrection. The road Peter wanted them to travel held only victory. Jesus rebuked him strongly for itWhen Peter fully followed God’s lead, he suffered much, but saw first hand the salvation of the world and established Christ's first church. 

None of us know what direction our road will take. Just as it seems we are headed one way, the road He wants us on turns. Often, with my ministry I have no idea where He is headed. I fight against the part of me that wants to take the lead. But I’m learning that when it’s unclear what step I should take, to simply wait.

Message for the Journey:
Noah didn’t try to take the lead from God as the ark was constructed. He built it as God directed. Nor did he rush to round up the animals when he thought things were ready.When the time was right, God sent the animals to Moses. In the end, it was all a perfect fit. Your life, too, will be a perfect fit if you go only when and where He leads. 
                                                                                                 ©Ann Wilds

"At the command of the Lord they remained encamped, and at the command of the Lord they journeyed...
" Numbers 9:23.