Look On the Bright side

Aren't we always told that?  When we have a problem or something goes wrong...."oh look at the bright side".   Usually at a time when that isn't very helpful, every thing looks pretty grim. The cars low fuel light is on, the tire needs air and you are already running 10 minutes late. 
The kids are crying, breakfast is still on the table, you haven't gotten your shower yet and your mother-in-law calls to say she has something for the kids and will be there in 15.
You haven't felt yourself in months, everything around you is piling up and the doctor tells you your report isn't good, you need more tests to be conclusive.
You can fill in your own scenario, but our answers might all be the same....

"Nope, no bright side here....dark, dark, dark!

Isaiah 59  ⁹ So justice is far from us,    and righteousness does not reach us.
We look for light, but all is darkness;
    for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows.

I believe the bright side of a situation comes first in lifting our head, our eyes and looking UP↑
John 1:4 In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.....
...⁹ The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.

Christ came to this world to be  A Light... OUR Light.  
It stands to reason that IF we needed a light then there is going to be some darkness.  
First we will be born into darkness, into sin, because we are born on this earth.  And when we come to a  time in our life when we choose Christ, we choose His light to guide us, to fill us!  He came to be our salvation!
Romans 1:¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes:

But in our walk with Him there are also dark times; times we struggle, times we never thought we would see....illness, death, betrayal, cruelness, hate, bitterness, tragedy and many others, and more specific.  It is in those times, IF we look to Him, He will shine His brightest.
The darker our moment, the brighter He will be!
Isaiah 58: ⁸ Then your light will break forth like the dawn,    and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
    and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
⁹ Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;
    you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

Did you just read that!!  "HERE AM I!"  How remarkably awesome is that!!

It is dark, so dark you can't see which way is up or out, and you cry out for help.....
"LORD" .. "DEAR GOD"  or just cry...
and from out of that darkness,  moving over you slowly a feeling of warmth
"Here am I"
 You hush your crying just a little......"Lord" 
and you begin to see shadows as if a light is slowly seeping into the darkness...
"HERE am I"
You breath deep, almost a sigh from somewhere in your soul....."Dear Lord" 
"HERE AM I"
and you are surrounded by Light that warms you, from the inside out and  you begin to cry again, but this time it is tears of joy mingled with the sweetness of restoration.

Now that is just a poetical picture of how it might be.  Sometimes it can take a moment.  Sometimes it can take a season, and sometimes, friend, it can be what seems a lifetime.

But I know that my Dear Friend, (I hope He is yours too) will be there if you call on Him,
John 8  ¹² When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

So if our coffee time finds you in a dark place I pray that you can look up, look out and
LOOK AT THE BRIGHT SIDE

Psalm 104
¹ Praise the Lord, my soul.

Lord my God, you are very great;
    you are clothed with splendor and majesty.

² The Lord wraps himself in light as with a garment;
    he stretches out the heavens like a tent
³     and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters.

And if you can read this and say "been there and I am filled with His light!"
PRAISE GOD!  give Him the Glory!
Don't hide it but let His light shine!

Matthew 5 ¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Thank you for joining me and our Dear Friend for coffee time today.

Until next time 

Keep Looking on the Bright Side!