Uncertain..Half Full or Half Empty

Not sure what to blog today.... I had something come to mind several days ago....Half Full/ Half Empty...
BUT I was just sitting staring at the screen at yet another tragedy....another scene of carnage.  This one not by the storms of nature, but by an individual.  A person I do not know....and I dare say no one reading this knew him.
And I wondered if maybe I should save that for another time.
It was to talk about our perspective on things...on life.  On how we look at situations....any really, as we travel through this life.
Do we see the good, the God,  in all the things around us?
So maybe it is a good one for today, because with all the tragedies that have been happening not just in our country but in other parts of the world that have been devastated by the natural disasters lately...  we might have a tendency to say....I don't see God....He has abandon us.

The Lord said to Joshua after Moses had died and Joshua was going to be the one to lead the Israelites.
No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Joshua 1:5

Did all tragedy and hardship cease for Joshua or the Israelites with this statement  ...no of course not, BUT God was always going to be there for Joshua and the Israelite's  with guidance, wisdom and strength
As He is with us.
Sin is in this world....has been since almost the very beginning.
 So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. Genesis 3:23

And the horrors of sin have continued to fester, and grow like a canker through out all of time....so there is no hope?....that would be a Half Full view.

BUT that isn't how we should look at it.  TRUTH says that God is with us and working even in all the tragedies, even if we don't see Him....He is still there, working, loving.  A HALF FULL view.

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.  Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:16-20

Jesus LAST words while on the earth, to His closest friends.....and ultimately to us who believe and follow....And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”   

SO  in all that is happening around us....PRAY, knowing that God hears our prayers. DO whatever it is we are privileged to be able to do to help serve God's people, LOOK for HALF FULL....look for God in the tragedies; kindness of others, safety and protection for individuals.  Strength and courage being demonstrated. Faith carrying people through.

 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 2 Corinthians 8:2

AND  on the other side of that Half Full/Half Empty ...how can God see you?!  are you HALF FULL or HALF EMPTY.

because we are just a portion.....and until we accept Christ as our personal Savior we will never be full.  He takes what we have....no matter how empty that may seem and HE makes it full!  TO THE TOP and OVER FLOWING!

 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Filling ourselves with Christ means there is no room for other things to try to take up the empty spaces.  Bitterness, hatred, greed, lust, anger, derision, divisiveness, apathy, self centeredness, mistrust, doubt etc.

Even though we have nothing to bring Christ fills us and God sees us as FULL....not even Half Full.  He sees Christ when He looks at us!  How cool is that! 

So in light of, not just today's horrible tragedy, but all those that have been happening....do not lose heart or hope....do not look at the "glass as half empty"

Trust that God is in, around and through it all.  That for those of us who believe the "glass is not only half full....but full to overflowing!"

So do not fear, for I am with you;

    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

AMEN!!!!