Let’s face it. Life can be filled with problems. Even ministry doesn’t always go as expected. People who fall into a pessimistic reaction when things go wrong are said to look at the cup as half empty, whereas the optimist would view the cup as half full. This post considers the effects of pessimism. The next post will look at optimistic reactions.
At the Heart of a Pessimistic Reaction
Pessimism fails to see the good God can bring out of even negative, adverse circumstances (Rom. 8:28). The psalmist said, “I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” (Ps. 27:13).
King David certainly had a lot gone wrong that could have led to despair — evildoers coming upon him (v. 2), a host encamped upon him (v. 3), war against him (v. 3), feeling forsaken (v. 10), and more.
What we believe about God will affect our reaction when things go wrong. If in our heart of hearts we don’t really believe God is always good, it will be easy to fall into despair, to become pessimistic. We can say God is good but not truly believe it in our hearts. If we find ourselves grumbling, complaining, and bemoaning our lives, our hearts undoubtedly lack confidence in the goodness of the Lord “for the mouth speaks what the heart is full of” (Lk. 6:45).
The Antidote for Pessimism
We must accept the reality that we won’t always immediately see the good in our situations. Think of Jesus’ disciples after His crucifixion. On the third day, however, He arose from the dead. Jesus could have avoided putting His disciples through a period of grief but He knew a better day was coming because of His death. Not only did His death and resurrection bring salvation to the world but also the Holy Spirit to come and not only be with the disciples but in them (Jn. 14:17).
Go back to David of the Old Testament. He understood the reality that we don’t always see God’s goodness immediately. After expressing how he would have despaired if he hadn’t believe he’d see the goodness of the Lord, he said, “Wait for the Lord. Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.” (Ps. 27:14)