Abiding in Hope when life is not perfect.

"The universe is not required to be in perfect harmony with human ambition." -Carl Sagan

"We come to love not by finding the perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly."

-Angelina Jolie

I think we go through life expecting it to be perfect. We say we know that life isn't perfect and yet we get frustrated, sad and disappointed when it isn't.

We all carry the ideal within our hearts for a perfect world that is governed by perfect people. We yearn for perfect relationships with friends, family and spouse.

However, we are imperfect people living in an imperfect world.

It doesn't mean that we shouldn't strive for excellence in whatever we do but it does mean that we can't expect life to roll on smoothly, day after day. There will be hurdles, hiccups, challenges and disappointment...just as it was for Jesus when he walked this earth. But there will be good times and prosperous times too. We must pray for and believe in the good times.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. '- Jeremiah 29:11.

Optimism equals energy and results ... although not always instant results but we eventually get there. We decide to be thankful for what we do have and enjoy some things along the way. It doesn't mean that optimism makes problems go away but it means we don't have dark clouds looming over our heads. We can see that "every cloud has a silver lining". We choose hope, not defeat.

Pessimism on the other hand, makes everyone feel miserable, including ourselves. It takes longer to get results in our lives because part of the battle is within our minds.

Negative thinking robs us of energy and motivation. Life passes and we may miss out on the beauty of little but significant things. 

When we are feeling negative, we must remember that we have a perfect God who sees us through Jesus's eyes and  who will one day reign over His people in a perfect world.

But when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.- 1Corinthians 13:10.

It is true that life here and now is not perfect ... however, optimism is a choice!

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."- Romans 15:13.

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." - Hebrews 11:1

Jenteelability.  http://devotionalchristiancafe.blogspot.com