“Optimism isn’t at odds with the reality that is all around us.”

A thought by Mark Batterson, (2015-10-06) from his book, If: Trading Your If Only Regrets for God's What If Possibilities (Kindle Locations 1869-1870). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

Mark writes, “I have thousands of books in my library, but few are older than a vintage volume authored by Helen Keller. Copyrighted in 1903, Optimism has stood the test of time. I would be unimpressed by the title if it weren’t for the unique circumstances out of which the author wrote.”

He continues, “Before the age of two, Helen Keller lost her vision and her hearing. In an instant, her world went dark, went silent. Then a godsend named Anne Sullivan broke through Helen’s solitary confinement and touched her soul. Helen Keller became the first deaf blind person to earn a bachelor’s degree. She also authored a dozen books, including a manifesto on her philosophy of life, Optimism.”

He goes on, “’No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars,’ she wrote, ‘or sailed to an uncharted land.’ The last page of her book echoes the first page of Scripture. ‘Optimism is the harmony of man’s spirit and the Spirit of God pronouncing His works good.’”

Then Mark says, “If the Spirit of God is within you, optimism is the order of the day. It’s part of your spiritual birthright. Optimism isn’t at odds with the reality that is all around us. It simply means we’re anchored to another reality— the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ— that is deeper and stronger and longer than the reality we can perceive with our five senses.”

And that is the key. Our optimism is anchored to the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus Christ not the reality that is around us.

So what reality are you anchored to?

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