My big advantage

I have a new friend who has his own television show about wildlife art. He interviewed one of my favorite artists not long ago. I have several of this artist’s paintings and am keenly interested in learning more about him. My new friend got to know him quite well through his TV show and recently told me some inside information about him. It turns out the artist has an eye disorder that makes his eyes very sensitive to light. The artist told my friend that this gives him a tremendous advantage over other artists as color is derived from light and he sees color differently and much more intensely than most people. He has the unique talent and ability to transfer what he sees to canvas and the results of his use of color are stunning. The advantage is working well for him as his total revenue is slightly over $100 million per year.

Having an advantage is a highly desirable thing and obviously it works quite well for this artist. I think I have a tremendous advantage over most people. I have found in life that nothing comes easy. That includes my spiritual life, personal life, and my professional life. I realize that anything worthwhile requires tremendous effort, (strong work ethic), and there will be some bumps along the way to be sure; therefore perseverance is a definite requirement too. It is not any big advantage to know the foregoing and practically everyone realizes that worthwhile endeavors require hard work and perseverance; however my big advantage over most people is that I am a long term thinker and thus an optimist.

I rarely let any short term problem bother me for much more than even one day, because I understand dark times will be followed by times of great joy. I know through Bible study that difficult dark times are the direct result of sin and the influence of satan; Jesus defeated both on the cross and ultimately I will be with Him forever. I do not allow satan the pleasure of keeping me down. I look beyond the daily and consider the long term. The reason I can do this is due to my unwavering faith in God and my belief system that tells me that we will face turmoil and many times will have to struggle, but ultimately things will turn out fine. This makes me an optimist. God enables me to view life optimistically, (even during the worst of it), and I have the mental fortitude to refuse to let the dark things of this world get me down and keep me there. The Bible teaches that if we resist satan that he will flee from us. Being an optimist gives satan his walking papers; resist him strongly enough and we can put running shoes on him and ‘shoo’ him away.

We cannot all have a light disorder in our eyes that gives us an advantage over others; however we can all have an advantage in life just like mine. The rewards that come from being a Christian and walking closely with God are untold; to succeed we must ‘always’ keep our eyes on this. Our relationship with God affects every aspect of our lives including enabling us to have a great marriage, family life, career, friends, and most importantly a positive state of mind.

Bad stuff is going to happen; get ready for it today. Work through it! Be an optimist! God is with you and has promised that things are going to end up fine for those who trust Him. Trust Him! Be willing to work hard and yes you will no doubt have to endure some temporary discomfort, but maintain a positive attitude even through the worst of what satan throws your way, and the rewards that you seek will be yours. Be a long term thinker.

Just like those professional football players who persistently work out so hard each day in the gym. Their creed is no pain no gain’. Ask anyone with a Super Bowl ring if it was worth the untold hours of pain and hard work and mental toughness that it took to get there. I have never heard one say that it was not worth it. The same is true for us. We can fight our way through life to enjoy tremendous rewards from serving God and leading others to Christ, creating a great marriage, building a close loving relationship with family and friends, and even financial rewards from a great career, and then one fine day we will be bopping around in heaven and the pain and problems of this old world will be a distant memory, (if we remember it at all). Keep your eye on that and all of the stuff’ that goes on today or tomorrow will not dominate you as satan desires. Be a long term thinking optimist starting today!

James 4:7/10
Therefore submit to God,
Resist the devil and he will flee from you

Humble yourselves in the sight
Of the Lord, and He will lift you up.