Rose colored glasses

More than a few times in my life I have been accused of viewing the world through rose colored glasses. Per eHow search:  most research done on this phrase dates it back to the 1850’s, from a novel by Thomas Hughes in which a character is said to have viewed a university through “rose-coloured spectacles”.  The Free Dictionary states that it means “being cheerful to an excessive degree, very optimistic about the world; blocking out negative things and seeing only positive.”

Quite honestly, I don’t see the “down” side of having this perspective!

Choosing to look at the bright side doesn’t mean ignorance of the dark.  It means believing that in spite of the dark, there still IS a bright side.  It’s hope.

Hope:  The feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best.

The world says “don’t get your hopes up” out of fear of disappointment.  But hope can only disappoint if it is misplaced.  Our hope is supposed to be in God and the bible says that hope in Him NEVER disappoints!!  Romans 5:5

The apostle Paul instructs us to “set our minds on the things above”  (Colossians 3:2), and to “not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer with thanksgiving, make your wants known to God….”.  He goes on to say “think on these things: whatever is true, honest, just,pure, lovely, of good report, any virtue, any praise…” (Philippians 4:6, 8)  God wants us to get a new perspective, a new view.  He wants our minds filled with good because our hope is in Him in every circumstance, and He is good.

Reading those scriptures is a good reminder to adjust our view of world issues and the bigger problems around us.  But what about people?  How do we get the right view of those who just get on our nerves?

1 Corinthians 13:7 says “Love…is ever ready to believe the best of every person…”  EVERY person.

God has lavished His love on us.  Through Jesus, God looks at us and sees only good.  He chose to love us and pour out His love into our hearts.  We are to be vessels filled with only Him, His love overflowing to EVERY person we see.  We have no right to withhold it!  We choose to look for the best in everyone and everything, because of Him, because of His love.

I don’t know about you, but I rather like my shades.   🙂