secrets of optimistic people

SECRETS OF OPTIMISTIC PEOPLE

Philippians 4:8-9 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure,

whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. 9 The things which you

learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of

peace will be with you.

OPTIMISTIC OR PESSIMISTICA. Are you an optimistic person?

1. Is the glass half full or half empty?2. Do you refer to a traffic light as a “stop light” or a “go

light”?B. Are you a pessimistic person?

1. There are countless problems in our lives right now. 2. Sin. Bad economy. Family problems. Health issues.

Accidents.3. People deal with troubling circumstances everyday. 4. People typically react with a negative attitude to these

issues. 5. Too often though, people take this negative attitude

and make it part of their personality.

OPTIMISTIC OR PESSIMISTICC.With all the negatives in this life, one

can easily fall into the pessimism trap. 1. So, how can we turn our frowns

upside down? 2. We need to learn to be optimistic. 3. Ecclesiastes 11:4 He who observes

the wind will not sow, And he who regards the clouds will not reap.

D.Let's examine 4 secrets of optimistic people

I. OPTIMISTIC PEOPLE EXPRESS GRATITUDE.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.


A. Optimistic people rarely talk about what they don't have; it's almost always about what they do have. 1. You may not live in your dream house, but you

can be thankful that you're not homeless. 2. You may not drive a BMW, but at least you don't

have to ride the bus to work. 3. And even if you do take the bus, at least you

don't have to walk. 4. Do you see the point? Life will NEVER be

perfect. It's all about how you look at it. 5. Most people have it worse that we do.


B. If we want to be optimistic, we need to be thankful for the good we already have, not what we are lacking.

C. Give thanks for all things. - Ephesians 5:20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

D. Thankfulness prevents anxiety. - Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.


E.THE WORLD IS MINE~ Red FoleyToday, upon a bus, I saw a girl with golden hair.I envied her, she seemed so gay, and wished I was as fair.When suddenly she rose to leave , I saw her hobbled down the aisle.She had one leg and wore a crutch. And as she passed... a smile. Oh God, forgive me when I whine. I have two legs, the world is mine


I stopped to buy some candy. The lad who sold it had such charm.I talked with him, he seemed so glad. If I were late, it'd do no harm.And as I left, he said to me, "I thank you, you've been so kind.It's nice to talk with folks like you. You see," he said, "I'm blind." Oh God, forgive me when I whine. I have two eyes, the world is mine.


Later while walking down the street, I saw a child with eyes of blue.He stood and watched the others play. He did not know what to do.I stopped a moment and then I said, "Why don't you join the others, dear?"He looked ahead without a word. And then I knew, he couldn't hear. Oh God, forgive me when I whine. I have 2 ears, the world is mine.


With feet to take me where I'd go. With eyes to see the sunset's glow.With ears to hear what I'd know. Oh God, forgive me when I whine. I've been blessed indeed, the world is mine........

II. OPTIMISTIC PEOPLE VOLUNTEER.

Isaiah 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: "Whom shall I send, And

who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me."


A.Optimistic people aren't focused on themselves. 1. This doesn't necessarily mean we go

volunteer at a homeless shelter (but you could).

2. This is about shifting the focus from ourselves to others.

3. Just give it a try. Go help an elderly person with some housework.

4. Go visit someone who has been sick or is in the hospital.

5. Go help around the house with chores you normally skip out on.


B. Studies have shown that people are much more happy and satisfied when they are focusing on helping others and not on their own problems.

C. We are to do good to all. - Galatians 6:9-10 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

D. We are to minister to one another. - 1 Peter 4:10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

II. OPTIMISTIC PEOPLE VOLUNTEERD. You Never Know By Helen L. Marshall

You never know when someone; May catch a dream from youYou never know when a little word; Or something you may doMay open up the windows; Of a mind that seals a lightThe way you love, may not matter at all; But you never know it might.And just in case it could be; That another's life, through youMight possibly change for the better; With a broader and brighter viewIt seems it might be worth a try; At pointing the way to the rightOf course it many not matter at all, But then again…it might.

III. OPTIMISTIC PEOPLE NOTICE THE GOOD.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever

things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure,

whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these

things.


A.Optimistic people always seem to look on the bright side. 1. They are able to find that silver lining. 2. This isn't something that comes

naturally. 3. This is one part of optimism that we

must practice.


B. It is very difficult to look for something positive when you are faced with dreadful situations like death, poverty, and sickness. 1. While it may not appear right away, an

optimistic person keeps looking for the positives.

2. All works together for good. - Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.


B. It is very difficult to look for something positive when you are faced with dreadful situations like death, poverty, and sickness. 3. We find what we look for. - Proverbs 11:27 He who

earnestly seeks good finds favor, But trouble will come to him who seeks evil.

4. Love believes and hopes all things. - 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5

does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails.


C. The Power Of The Positive - Jack EllisonThe joy that other people possess, Is well within our reachWe're all made up of similar stuff, I'm sure you've heard this speechWell my friends, in my experience, It's a true and a provable factThe more you look on the bright side, The more positive people reactThey observe your sunny outlook, Wish they could feel that way tooIt doesn't take much effort, Positive thinking rubs off on you


Picture all that's right with the world, Of the things that you possessDon't concentrate on the negatives, That will only cause you stressHappiness is quite an infectious thing, Belt out an old good times songSooner or later believe me, folks, People will start singing alongIt's really the power of positive thinking, Happy always wins in the endIt's a human thing, we're born to laugh, So chuckle yourself silly, my friends

IV. OPTIMISTIC PEOPLE CHANGE NEGATIVE

SELF-TALK.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ

who strengthens me.

IV. OPTIMISTIC PEOPLE CHANGE NEGATIVE SELF-TALK.

A. Optimistic people think positively about themselves. 1. Typically, when people look in the mirror they

begin to pick out all of their flaws, wish they were different, and insult themselves for not being better.

2. Much of this is spurred on by our culture's standard for beauty, which is unbelievably distorted.

3. Through the magic of programs like Photoshop, people are made to look like things they aren't in real life.

4. So, what is the point? 5. Don't be so hard on yourself. 6. No one is flawless.


B. Focus on the good things and change the negative self-talk into positive thoughts about yourself.

C. We have the power of the Lord. - Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

D. God gives us strength. - Isaiah 40:29-31 He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, 31

But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.


E. UNTIE THE K’NOTSPlease untie the k’nots that are in my mind, my heart

and my life.Remove the “have nots”, the “can nots” and the “do

nots” that I have in my mind.Erase the “will nots”, “may nots”, “might nots”, that

may find a home in my heart.Release me from the “could nots”, “would nots” and

“should nots” that obstruct my life.And most of all, oh God… I ask that you remove from my mind, my heart and my

life all the “am nots”Especially the thought that I am not good enough to

serve you my Lord.

ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC?A. In Numbers 14:1-10 we see great examples of

optimism and pessimism. 1. After the twelve spies had returned from spying out

the land of Canaan, ten of the spies said that the enemy was too big and strong and they couldn't take the land.

2. But Joshua and Caleb were optimistic and told them that God would give them the land.

3. Unfortunately, the crowd listened to the ten pessimistic spies and God sent them back out into the wilderness.

4. For these people, pessimism was the different between entering the Promise Land and going back out to die in the wilderness.

ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC?B.Life is so much better when we focus on

the positive side.

C.He wants us to praise Him for the blessings He provides us with.

D.There are way too many positives in this life to wallow around in all the negatives.

E. Let's learn to be optimistic people.

HAVE AN OPTIMISTIC WEEK

secrets of optimistic people

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