by Elisha Ann Wahlquist ~ January 26th, 2008
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Philippians 4:8)
Are you a pessimist or an optimist? Our culture makes fun of both. Pessimism was charmingly captured by A. A. Milne in his character Eeyore-so much so that we sometimes refer to someone else as "being an Eeyore." We tend to laugh them both away-viewing optimists as an unrealistic Polyanna, and pessimists as amusing, negative, and, sometimes, "the only realists."
Let's look at the synonyms of both, to see if we can gain some insight into them.
"Pessimism [n] belief in bad outcome. Cynicism, dejection, depression, despair, despondency, distrust, dyspepsia, expectation of worst, gloom, gloominess, gloomy outlook, glumness, grief, hopelessness, low spirits, melancholy, sadness, unhappiness."
And a pessimist:
"Pessimist [n] person who expects bad outcome. Complainer, cynic, defeatist, deprecator, downer, gloomy, killjoy, misanthrope, party pooper, prophet of doom, sourpuss, wet blanket, worrier, worrywart."
It doesn't sound too good. Now let's turn to the synonyms of optimism.
"Optimism [n] state of having positive beliefs. Anticipation, assurance, brightness, buoyancy, calmness, certainty, cheer, cheerfulness, confidence, easiness, elation, encouragement, enthusiasm, exhilaration, expectation, good cheer, happiness, hopefulness, idealism, looking on the bright side, positivism, rose-colored-glasses, sanguineness, sureness, trust."
Someone who has optimism is:
"Optimistic [adj] believing positively. Assured, bright, buoyant, cheerful, cheering, confident, encouraged, expectant, happy, high, hopeful, hoping, idealistic, keeping the faith, merry, on cloud nine, on top of the world, positive, promising, ray of sunshine, rose-colored, rosy, sanguine, sunny, trusting, upbeat, Utopian."
Our culture's worldview is undoubtedly a pessimistic one. Most people in our world today are bound both in the chains of their own inner sinfulness, and the despairing bondage of the lies they have been force-fed by our culture. For if we all came from senseless micro-organisms-if life is meaningless, having nothing but this cruel world-if merciless death and unfeeling destruction, bestial atrocities, and tyrannical injustice are "the real world'-then who indeed can be an optimist, without living in an unrealistic dream-world?
Recently, my family and I listened to an atheist vs. Christian debate. What struck me the most was the utter paucity of the atheist's reality. Even when he tried to portray the atheist's position as strong, independent, and noble ("Ours is a high and lonely destiny"), it fell flat on its face. I couldn't help thinking, "What a cynical, hopeless outlook on life! They had nothing to live for but an emotions-based, cynical hope that they were 'helping the human race to evolve to higher goals.'"
Thanks be to God that there is something beyond this pessimistic outlook! In Christ we can find true meaning. In Him, we understand that there is a purpose behind the horrors of this sinful world-that God, in His loving Providence, is using even the grief and pain for our good.[1] We are called to be optimists-to take off the filthy garments of the world and put on the shining robes of Christ:
"…put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;" (Eph. 4:22, 23)
Not only are we supposed to rejoice in all things, but the Bible also commands us to not be complainers.[2] It is a great displeasure to God.[3] Ungodly, wicked men in Jude are described as "murmurers" and "complainers."[4] One of the marks of God's blessing in Psalms 144 is that there would be no complaining in their streets.[5]
"Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." (Rom. 12:21)
Only as we repudiate the pessimistic, fatalistic ideas of our culture, and clothe ourselves in a Biblical worldview will we be able, in Christ's strength, to become biblically optimistic. We must lay aside the filthy, slimy, repulsive robes of cynicism, dejection, depression, despair, despondency, gloom, hopelessness, sadness, and unhappiness. We must learn how to instead radiate the assurance, brightness, buoyancy, calmness, certainty, cheer, confidence, encouragement, enthusiasm, expectation, hopefulness, sureness, and trust that lie in Christ.
I am not saying that we should live our lives deceiving ourselves in an imaginary, idealistic rose-colored bubble, thinking that everything is wonderful. Far from it! That is not wise, nor is it Biblical. This earth is full of sin, grief, and pain, because of our sinful human nature. We are not called to ignore the problems in the world-we are called to go into all the world, throwing ourselves into the work of evangelism, transforming mankind's hopeless cynicism and despair into holy and sanctified joy. But unless we have "the oil of joy" and "the garment of praise"-true, biblical optimism, which focuses not on ourselves but on Christ, who has won the eternal victory for us-we cannot change the world for Him. Only then can we do what the below verses exhort:
"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified." (Isaiah 61:1-3)
Isn't that a glorious vision-to take the real evils and ills of the world, twist them out of the hands of Satan, and transform them into living trees of joy for Christ! We are involved in the great moral war against Satan's lies, and as Dwight D. Eisenhower said,
"Pessimism never won any battle."
"Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (1 Thess. 5:14-18)
"But what exactly is Biblical optimism?" some of you may still be asking. It could also be called a positive vs. a negative outlook. It involves a joyful hope; a looking forward to Christ's return, when all wrongs will be set right [6]; a sober thankfulness for all that comes to pass in our lives. But it also means that we must "weep with those who weep" [7], lovingly confront sin (the Matthew 18:15-17 way)[8], and go through great persecution and trial [9]. We are not to live in a bubble of unrealistic happiness-but we are called to live an exciting life of joy and "peace that passeth understanding" in the midst of a hostile world. And truly, we, in our human flesh, cannot do that. We are forced to turn to Christ for strength and peace and joy. As we cast our cares upon Him [10], He will help up to rejoice even in the worst of circumstances. He will show us the love and purpose behind even the bad things that come to pass.
So we can be optimistic-we are called to give thanks for all things [11], to be living in joy and hope, always looking for the appearing of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. When He comes back, will He find us paralyzed by pessimism and hopelessness, or living abundantly in joyful expectation?
Footnotes:
[1] "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Rom. 8:28)
[2] "Do all things without murmurings and disputings:" (Php. 2:14) "Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come." (1 Cor. 10:10,11)
[3] "And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp." (Num. 11:1)
[4] "These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage." (Jude 1:16)
[5] "That our oxen may be strong to labour; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets." (Ps. 144:14)
[6] "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;" (Titus 2:13)
[7] "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep." (Ro. 12:15)
[8] "Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican." (Matthew 18:15-17)
[9] "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." (2 Timothy 3:12) "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body." (2 Cor. 4:8-10)
[10] "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." (1 Pe. 5:7)
[11] "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;" (Eph. 5:20)
