HALF-EMPTY OR HALF-FULL?

You are well aware of this question about how you see the glass – is it half-empty or half-full? In other words, are you an optimist or a pessimist? I remember discussing this topic with a priest when I was in my teens – a very long time ago! This priest said that he was, by temperament and personality, inclined to be a pessimist. However, he indicated that he had become, as he put it, “an optimist by conviction,” based on Romans 8:28-39 (to be discussed below).

I have thought about that conversation often since then, especially the connection with Romans 8. I would say that, by nature and temperament, I am also probably inclined toward pessimism. However, I think I can also say that, by faith and conviction, I have become more of an optimist, or better, a person of Christian hope, based upon God’s word.

GOD’S WORD

Just consider some of the amazing promises contained in Romans 8:

God makes all things work together for the good of those who love him.

God predestined us to be conformed to the image of his Son, Jesus.

Those God predestined, he also called, justified, and glorified.

If God is for us, who is against us?

Who shall bring any charge against those whom God justifies?

Who is to condemn? (Not Christ Jesus!)

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Not tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, or the sword.

In all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation – in other words, NOTHING – will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord!

GOD’S POWERFUL PURPOSE

I think you will agree that the above passage is about as powerful a statement as you can imagine to illustrate God’s loving plan and saving purpose in our regard.

Some time ago I was trying to pray about a difficult and confusing situation I was facing. I didn’t know exactly how to formulate my prayer, but I was reminded of Romans 8:28. So I just prayed, “Lord, I pray in agreement with however you want to work in this situation for my good.” I felt a real leading to pray “into” whatever God’s kingdom purposes were in that situation. Looking back on it, I think I can see how the Lord worked and am very thankful!

That experience gave me a “key” as to how to pray for other difficult and confusing situations as well – and don’t we all have them! If God assures us that he is working all things together for our good, it seems best to simply pray in agreement with however he is working – especially that we not be an obstacle to the outworking of his plan.

LET US GROW IN GOD

The word of God is a seed, and faith in God’s word makes that seed to grow within us. Ultimately, it is all due to the grace of the Holy Spirit at work within us. Think for a moment of the multiplied billions of dollars spent each year on various self-help books and techniques. And yet we have God’s word, God’s Spirit, faith, grace – all free for the asking! Let us put our faith and hope in God’s promises in Romans 8 and pray that God would fulfill his will and purposes in us and for us. God’s glass is always completely full!