An optimist sees an opportunity in every calamity; a pessimist sees a calamity in every opportunity.

Anonymous

One of the aspects that I love the most about the Christian life is the optimism that it produces. Regardless of how gloomy things may seem, there is always hope for those who are in Christ. Now, hope is not some type of wishful thinking reserved for bright-eyed dreamers. In the strictest Scriptural sense, hope is expectation - for God has given His word and we can rightly expect that this promise will be fulfilled. Hope is nothing less than an absolute confidence that God will always do what He has said He will do.

One story of incredible optimism that I will never forget is one told by Frazier Hunt, a neighbor of Helen Keller. Hunt came upon Ms. Keller as he was riding along a path near his ranch in the majestic setting of the Canadian Rockies. A wire had been strung along the path for the purpose of guiding Ms. Keller on her walks. Mr. Hunt watched as a beaming Helen Keller walked along this path. She came to a clump of wolf willows, took a big bunch in her arms and, inhaling deeply, perfectly formed the word "beautiful" with her lips.

Mr. Hunt later said that he had to brush back the tears from his eyes. He had just received a small bit of bad news and was feeling sorry for himself. In his despair, he had failed to even notice the glory of the beauty that surrounded him on his ride. It took a deaf, sightless woman who refused to let hardship mar her joy, to open his senses to our Creator's glorious wonders.

As Christians, we have the promise of Heaven. Further, we have the promise of God's help while we are here on this earth. Can you think of anything that could rightfully cause us to become pessimistic as long as we have the surety of these two promises? May each one of us truly open our eyes to the beauty that God has placed in each one of our lives, regardless of any hardships that we may have to overcome along life's journey.

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.

Philippians 4:8, NIV