THE THIEF COMES TO STEAL

There is a jaded perspective when it comes to being an "optimist" verses a "realist."

In order for you to understand me better let me give you some definitions.

The Urban Dictionary defines jaded as such "the end result of having a steady flow of negative experiences, disappointments, and unfulfillment fed into a person where they get to the point their anger circuits and they accept disillusionment."

Oxford Languages defines a "realist" as a person who accepts a situation as it is and is prepared to deal with it accordingly.

An "optimist" is defined as a person that thinks the best possible thing will happen, and hopes for it even if it's not likely.

It is in my opinion that a person cannot be both. They usually tend to lean more towards one and they typically resent a person who is the opposite.

For the purposes of this blog, let's say that you are an optimist but your co-worker is a realist.

Your co-worker will have a completely different outlook on projects than you will and most likely this will be the beginning of conflict between the two of you.

Or let's say you are a realist and your spouse is an optimist. You will undoubtedly bump heads in your day to day lives.

My family and I went on a much needed vacation last week and before we even left I purposed my thoughts to enjoy every minute of our trip no matter what happened.

As we were loading the luggage in the car the sky turned black as night. A deluge came out of nowhere so we ran back into the house soaking wet.

We changed clothes and waited for the storm to pass so we could leave. I walked into our garage to get an umbrella and the entire garage was flooded.

I reminded myself that nothing was going to get me upset. On our 4.5 hour drive to the city we were flying out from, the storm literally followed us.

I like to think I am one of the best drivers in the rain so I naturally second guess other drivers including my husband.

I could feel my "tense meter" rising. Thankfully we made it safely and our flight out of the country was amazing.

We get to the jungle and our accommodations were breath-taking. My kids ran straight to the beach and I ran out of the room just as quickly with them.

I came back to the room a little later for my sunglasses and ran into the cleaning crew. I didn't think anything was unusual with them being there so I happily left heading back to the beach (which was connected to our back porch.)

Hours later we came to shower and get ready for a dinner. When I got my purse I opened my wallet and I thought my layer of money seemed a bit thinner than it was.

And after counting it, indeed it was exactly $460 thinner.

I will spare you the painful details of how an argument between a "realist" and an "optimist" ensued but use your imagination and you can paint the picture.

Once things cooled down, we both agreed that no matter which characteristic we identified as (optimist or realist,) the thief comes to steal and we are only victims if we let him.

Money stolen is a crime but the real injustice is allowing your joy, peace and happiness to be taken.

Furthermore, arguing with someone who does not share the same view points as you do or getting upset at their response towards situations is only going to weaken you.

Surrounding yourself with like-minded people is bliss. However, the real development of your character only happens through opposition and resistance.

The Scripture "the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy but I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" is the Lord giving us insight.

Isaiah 26:3 declares "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You..."

Instead of trying to change someone else's perspective, embrace the opportunity to build strength, stay focused and do not allow the "thief" to steal from you.

YOU ARE DESIGNED TO REIGN IN LIFE

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