Are You An Optimist Or A Pessimist?
- Admin
- May 2
- 3 min read
There seems to be a lot of bad news in the world today. In fact, it’s enough to make one wonder if things will ever get better. Now don’t get me wrong-- I’m not a pessimist by any means. As a Christian I know that there is more to life than what I can see. Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:19= “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” In other words, Christ doesn’t just give us hope while we are on earth He also extends it into eternal life in heaven. So we can have confidence that there is more to life than our temporary circumstances.
If we can learn anything from reading history, it is that the optimists and enthusiasts have been right much more often than the pessimists and critics. For example, in 1899, Charles H. Deuell, Director of the U.S. Patent Office, wrote: “Everything that can be invented has been invented.” In 1905 former President Grover Cleveland said, “Sensible and responsible women do not want to vote.” Robert Millikan, Nobel Prize recipient in physics in 1923, said: “There is no likelihood man can ever tap the power of the atom.” Lloyd Kelvin, president of the Royal Society, said in 1895: “Heavier than air flying machines are impossible.” And in 1921, someone remarked: “Babe Ruth made a big mistake when he gave up pitching.” I’m so glad these folks were wrong, aren’t you?
Let me ask you: are you an optimist or a pessimist? Do you tend to see the positive or the negative side in a situation? A pessimist sees the rain making mud; the optimist sees it keeping the dust down. The optimist says, “I am better today”; the pessimist says, “I was worse yesterday.” The optimist says, “I’m glad I’m alive”; the pessimist says, “I’m sorry I must die.” The optimist discovers some good even in evil; the pessimist finds some evil even in good.
One day, a man stopped to watch a Little League baseball game. He asked one of the youngsters what the score was.
“We’re behind eighteen to nothing,” was the answer.
“Well,” said the man, “I must say you don’t look discouraged.”
“Discouraged?” the boy said, puzzled. “Why should we be discouraged? We haven’t come to bat yet!”
The Bible tells us in Proverbs 17:22= “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Have you ever had one of those days when everything was going good, you felt great and couldn’t wait to get started… then someone walked into the room with a foul attitude and suddenly your whole mood changed? If so, then you’ve had a Proverbs 17:22 experience. It’s amazing how one person’s attitude can change the atmosphere in a room.
When the giant Goliath came against the Israelites in 1 Samuel 17, the soldiers looked at him and thought, “He’s so big, we can never kill him.” But little David looked at him and thought, “He’s so big, I can’t miss!” And he took Goliath down with his sling and a stone. Remember: faith in God can change how you look at your problem!
So, the next time you’re tempted to focus on the negative side of a situation-- try turning your perspective around and see what good can come from it. You’ll be amazed at how you influence others and how much better you’ll feel. Besides, we have enough bad news going around… let’s spread some good news for a change!
Rev. Doug Johnson, Senior Pastor, Lexington First Assembly of God in Lexington, KY
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