UCB Word For Today
UCB
Categories: Religion & Spirituality
Listen to the last episode:
Before the age of two, Helen Keller lost her vision and her hearing. In an instant, her world went dark and silent. Then a godsend named Anne Sullivan broke through Helen’s solitary confinement and touched her soul. As a result, Helen became the first deaf/blind person to earn a bachelor’s degree. She also authored a dozen books, including a manifesto on her philosophy of life, Optimism. ‘No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars,’ she wrote, ‘or sailed to an uncharted land.’ The last page of her book echoes the first page of Scripture: ‘Optimism is the harmony of man’s spirit and the spirit of God pronouncing His works good.’ If God’s Spirit is within you, optimism is the order of the day. Optimism isn’t at odds with the reality all around us. It simply means we’re anchored to another reality – the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ – that is deeper and stronger and longer than the reality we can perceive with our five senses. Helen Keller proved that with an optimistic spirit, even the most difficult of circumstances cannot define you. And even if you cannot change them, you can overcome them. She proved that as amazing as the human eye is, there’s something more amazing – the mind’s eye that enables us to imagine the unthinkable and believe the impossible. It’s why she said, ‘The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.’ Or as Paul put it: ‘Brothers and sisters, think about the things that are good and worthy of praise’ (Philippians 4:8 NCV). In other words, be optimistic.
© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International.
Previous episodes
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2106 - Be optimistic (1) Sat, 07 Feb 2026
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2105 - Be optimistic (1) Sat, 07 Feb 2026
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2104 - Let’s honour one another Fri, 06 Feb 2026
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2103 - ‘Don’t compare yourself with others’ Thu, 05 Feb 2026
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2102 - As a parent you must be secure Wed, 04 Feb 2026
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2100 - God is for you! Tue, 03 Feb 2026
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2099 - Healing broken relationships Mon, 02 Feb 2026
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2098 - Keep your priorities straight Sun, 01 Feb 2026
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2097 - Always do your best Sat, 31 Jan 2026
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2096 - This experience is preparing you Fri, 30 Jan 2026
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2095 - Look for opportunities to ‘do good’ Thu, 29 Jan 2026
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2094 - Your words have power Wed, 28 Jan 2026
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2093 - Be sure to praise the Lord Tue, 27 Jan 2026
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2092 - The healing ministry of the New Testament church Mon, 26 Jan 2026
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2091 - Start small, and keep a winning attitude Sun, 25 Jan 2026
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2090 - Love and serve others Sat, 24 Jan 2026
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2089 - Where there is a will, there is a way Fri, 23 Jan 2026
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2088 - Believe God for greater things Thu, 22 Jan 2026
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2087 - Be an edifier; a people builder Wed, 21 Jan 2026
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2086 - Your rewards in heaven Tue, 20 Jan 2026
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2085 - Salvation is a gift Mon, 19 Jan 2026
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2084 - Honesty is the best policy Sun, 18 Jan 2026
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2083 - A prayer for healing family strife Sat, 17 Jan 2026
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2082 - How to pray when you’re lonely Fri, 16 Jan 2026
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2081 - Set boundaries that matter Thu, 15 Jan 2026
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2080 - Unselfishness; the secret of a happy marriage Wed, 14 Jan 2026
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2079 - Show appreciation for your pastor Tue, 13 Jan 2026
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2078 - The healing ministry of Jesus Mon, 12 Jan 2026
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2077 - Believe God for a breakthrough Sun, 11 Jan 2026
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2076 - Demonstrate your faith Sat, 10 Jan 2026
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2075 - One day you will understand fully Fri, 09 Jan 2026
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1992 - God’s answer to anxiety (1) Sat, 18 Oct 2025
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1784 - Be guided by wisdom, not impulse Wed, 26 Mar 2025