Outlook

​Outlook determines outcome.
I assume, like me, during this Coronavirus downtime, you have been thinking a lot about what’s next. It is natural and normal for us human beings to ponder the future after the pandemic dust settles.
It is also normal for us to listen to all the “noise” clamoring for our attention. Expert panels. Self-proclaimed prognosticators. Speculators think that they know what is going to happen. It seems that everybody and anybody with a camera and microphone wants to tell you how things will turn out.
If you listen to the world, at best, you will be confused, at the worst, you will be seriously concerned. The world has no definitive answers because it leaves God out of the equation.
The outlook of a worldly person who does not know God is negative, pessimistic and woe is us. The outcome of a negative outlook is worry, anxiety, fear, despondency, depression, and despair. Many, many Americans are feeling this way as uncertainty hangs over our heads and hearts.
Sadly, even some professing Christians are speaking pessimistically about the future. Their outlook is not much different than the world. No wonder they have a frown on their face and wrinkled foreheads instead of a peaceful heart and joyful countenance that trusts the Lord to take care of business.
What if God’s people’s outlook was positive? What if Christ’s followers believed the best, not the worst? Believed that the Lord would turn this crisis into opportunities to share the Gospel with fearful folks? What if Christians hoped for, even expected, that God would bring awesome things out of this uncertain season? What if we believed the sun would shine after the storm?
This past week , as I was spending time in prayer, informing the Lord of the world’s situation, (which I am pretty sure He really knew about), the Holy Spirit challenged me to start thinking about the good things God is going to bring out of this crisis.  
It was a revelation, a lightning bolt reminder, that our God is not pessimistic. Not negative. The God of the Bible is optimistic. Positive. Jeremiah 29: 11 states “For I now the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, “plans for welfare and not calamity, to give you a future and a hope.”
No bad news there!
I have decided to deal with the reality confronting me with an attitude that is looking forward with faith and confident expectation of what the Lord is going to do in the near future.
I encourage you to read Isaiah 64:1-5. In summary, when God’s people were in a national crisis, the Word says God came down to His people and did awesome things they did not expect.
I love that. God was present. He surprised His people with awesome things.
 My heart is excited. My spirit is expectant. My mind is full of peace. My renewed outlook is going to see an awesome outcome from the hand of the Lord in the days ahead!
A Christians’ outlook should come from an up-look to the Lord.
How To Keep A Positive Outlook

• Tune out the world’s negativity. Doom and gloom do not make for a good day!
• Reject Satan’s lies. Rebuke the devil. Remind him of his final destination in the lake of fire.
• Tune in to God’s positive Word. Confess God’s Word over your situation. Speak His truth over your life. Then walk in it.
• Believe, without doubting, that God always keep His promises. He is a promise keeper, never a promise breaker.
• Surround yourself with positive, likeminded, faith-filled followers of Jesus who expect the best is yet to come. Be very wise and discerning concerning who you invite into your innermost circle.
• Share your Christian optimism with those who are bewildered, confused, overwhelmed, discouraged, anxious and fearful. Encourage them in the Lord.
• Thank the Lord ahead of time for what is coming. Rejoice in Him. Sing His praises for awesome days ahead.

God’s outlook and outcome is always good for His followers.
Let’s get real. How are you handling this COVID-19 crisis? Be honest with yourself. Check your attitude. How’s your outlook looking? What kind of outcome is your current outlook going to produce in the days ahead?
 Maybe you need an outlook adjustment in order to have a positive outcome, which I believe is God’s good, acceptable and perfect will for His followers.
Keep a lookout to keep your outlook positive, trusting the Lord do direct your steps and bless your life according to His promises in the Bible.
 “As a man thinks within himself, so is he.” Proverbs 23:6
A Word For Your Week: What you see is what will be.