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Facing Hard Times With Brutal Optimism

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Facing Hard Times With Brutal Optimism

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As our world faces an economic downturn, higher unemployment and uncertain times, we may have to adjust our lifestyle to the new realities. But by looking at our current circumstances in a positive manner, problems or setbacks can be opportunities to develop godly character (Romans 5:3-4).

During the darkest days of World War II, then British Prime Minister Winston Churchill faced traumatic times due to Nazi Germany's aggression. Yet he was able to rally the British people to become optimistic, develop their resources and focus on their goals.

The curmudgeonly, tough-minded, 65-year-old politician did not put on a false smile or talk unrealistically about the battles that lay before them. In his first address to the House of Commons on a Sunday night in May of 1940, he declared: "I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat." Yet laced with his blunt realism was an undaunted optimistic spirit and belief that the ill-equipped British nation would be victorious.

He closed his speech by focusing on one goal. "You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: victory. Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival" (William Manchester, The Last Lion, p. 678).

Someone once expressed the importance of focusing on what we have instead of what we do not have. "As you travel through life's highway, may it ever be your goal; to keep your eye upon the doughnut, and not upon the hole!"

The apostle Paul instructed: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).

Let's focus on the goals, opportunities and blessings we have rather than on the "holes." UN

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Comments

  • KARS

    Your welcome Mr.Hall.
    Thank you for the history lesson. And in the words of the Captain of Galaxy Quest; "Never give up! Never surrender!"

  • Rod Hall

    Churchill rallied the public to focus on the ultimate goal in is his “Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat” address to the House of Commons.

    “You ask, What is our aim? I can answer with one word: Victory—victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no survival.”

    It was true for Britain. Unless they fought and won the battle of Britain all of Europe would be plunged into the 1,000 year dark ages of Nazi Germany’s third Reich.

    Spiritually it is also true ̶ without victory over sin there is no survival̶ we are as good as dead. But Christ has gained the victory and will save us by his sacrifice for sin and by His active work as our living high priest (1 Corinthians 15:3; Hebrews 8:1-4).

    Paul was a Christian soldier who simply refused to give up the fight. He remained optimistic and future focused.

    He realized it was an eternal life or death struggle (Romans 6:23; Romans 8:6-8; Galatians 6:8).

    How did Paul overcome sin and overcome discouragement?

    He turned to God for help. The Amplified Bible shows where Paul turned. “I thank God--through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin” (Romans 7:25).

    Churchill also knew the importance of perseverance. “If you are going through hell, keep going.” He also said: “Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential.”

    We will make it into God’s kingdom if we do not give up trying. The only person that can stop you is you.

    Paul realized the importance of forgetting the past and focusing on the future. “I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,

    “I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.
    “So let those [of us] who are spiritually mature and full-grown have this mind and hold these convictions; . . .” (Amplified Bible: Philippians 3:12-15).

    In 1941 Winston Churchill gave the shortest commencement speech on record. It was given to his old preparatory (Harrow School).
    “Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never--in nothing, great or small, large or petty--never give in . . ."

    Rod Hall

  • Rod Hall

    Thanks for your comment KARS.

    When we go through trials it can be easier to focus on our problems instead of the solutions. In a sermon last Sabbath I outlined three keys to remaining positive in the midst of ongoing trials and problems. Winston Churchill set an excellent example of being an optimistic realist.

    He was one of the first western leaders to realistically see Nazi Germany rise as a major threat.

    British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain signed an appeasement deal with Hitler in Munich on September 1938. On his return to Britain he proclaimed "peace for our time."

    Churchill saw through his strategy and called him out for what he was̶̶̶ an appeaser. “An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile—hoping it will eat him last.”

    That is the way it is with sin. If we become an appeaser trying to accept sin at all cost rather than fight it we will eventually be eaten up by it.

    August 1939 Joseph Stalin's Communist Russia signed a non- aggression pact with Hitler's Nazi Germany in order to keep the aggressive Hitler away from Russia.

    The two dictatorships' mighty armies then attacked Poland from West and East and divided it between them and occupied the country. They divided Europe between them.

    Winston Churchill remained an optimistic realist. He once described the difference between an optimist and a pessimist. “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”

    In spite of the overwhelming odds against Britain winning the battle of Britain, Churchill remained optimistic and positive when encouraging his countrymen. He also helped them face the reality of the brutal war that lay ahead.

    In Churchill’s very first entrance into the House of Commons as Britain's new Prime Minister on Monday, May 13, 1940, “Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat” speech Churchill pointed his people to aim in the right direction.

    He did not sugar-coat the troubles and traumas that lay ahead in the battle of Britain. He tried to get the people to face the challenges ahead with stern resolve to win.

    “You ask, What is our policy? I will say; It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us: to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy.”

    In Christ's service.
    Rod Hall

  • KARS

    Thanks for this article. No matter what happens press forward to the Kingdom of God. With God's help all things are possible according to His will. :o)

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