Tag Archives: half glass empty

When Paranoia Influences You to Expect the Worst

One common idiom can reveal much about an individual. When you see a glass of water which is nearly halfway finished, do you see this as a glass half empty or half full? This simple perspective reflects optimism or pessimism. If you’re a wealthy person, you may not even care. Yet, for those living paycheck to paycheck, fear can breed paranoia which will influence how you think about the future.

Then the men took the present, and they took double the [grain] money with them, and Benjamin; and they arose and went down to Egypt and stood before Joseph. 16 And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, Bring the men into the house and kill an animal and make ready, for the men will dine with me at noon. 17 And the man did as Joseph ordered and brought the men to Joseph’s house, Genesis 43:15-17.

Self Help books have flooded the market in recent years, trying to help readers avoid making the same mistakes as authors. Yet, when individuals begin to suffer a string of bad luck, people can respond in various ways. Some press on without a thought, others read way too much into these events and Christians may see these as a form of a curse, getting what you deserve for past transgressions.

The men were afraid because they were brought to Joseph’s house; and they said, We are brought in because of the money that was returned in our sacks the first time we came, so that he may find occasion to accuse and assail us, take us for slaves, and seize our donkeys, Genesis 43:18.

As for Joseph’s brothers, a few of them were still consumed by guilt for selling their brother into slavery and plotting a fake death to cover their tracks. While Moses doesn’t specifically mention the concept “you reap what you sow,” it appears Joseph’s brothers believed in a similar concept. Subsequently, as everyone was invited to the governor’s house for dinner, paranoia struck several of Joseph’s brothers. This paranoia led a couple brothers to expect worst case scenarios like a self-fulfilled prophecy. The next time your mind begins to wonder, turn to the Lord to find peace.

by Jay Mankus

Hollow

When my parents moved to Delaware, I developed a sense of adventure by exploring this new state.  A creek in my backyard flowed into a large forest, protecting a tributary that led into the Delaware River.  I spent hours fishing each summer with a net.  After I brought back my catch in a bucket, I attempted to build a dam to preserve my collection.  Unfortunately, after each major storm, the dam overflowed freeing these big and colorful fish.  Nonetheless, when I was younger I woke up with excitement, eager for what would happen each day.

I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the Lord, who does all these things, Isaiah 45:7.

As time has passed, dealing with failed dreams and goals have taken a toll on my soul.  After receiving two rejection letters from Hollywood last night, my joy for life has been replaced by anxiety, dread and disappointment.  Instead of seizing future moments of free time that I do have, depression has placed me into a state of misery.  The child like faith that I once possessed is drowning in self pity causing me to develop a half glass empty attitude.  Like a tree that looks healthy on the exterior, somewhere along the way I have become hollow inside.  Perhaps, I have become afflicted by spiritual termites, gnawing on my heart.

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed, 1 Peter 2:24.

The book definition for hollow is having a hole or empty space inside.  Synonyms include empty, vacant, void and unfulfilled.  Muhammad Ali once said “age is whatever you think it is; you are as old as you think you are.”  As a professional boxer, Ali demonstrated mind over matter to stay young despite his aging body.  Yet, for many individuals, becoming hollow is now a reality, struggling to become whole again.  As senior citizens retire and enter assisted living communities, they have to maintain an activity or hobby to keep hope alive.  If not, the lonely will spend their remaining years on earth wasting away in a rocking chair, like an empty shell, hollow and unfulfilled.

by Jay Mankus