OPTIMIST OR
PESSIMIST?
Consider it all joy,
brothers and sisters, when you encounter trials, for you know that testing
produces perseverance. … If any of you
lacks wisdom, ask God who gives generously, and you will be given it. Do not doubt.
A doubter will not receive anything from the Lord because they are of
two minds, unstable in their ways.”
James 1: 11-9
This letter is from the apostle James. We know little of James except that he was
included in all major events in Jesus’ life, such as the Transfiguration, and
that he was bishop of Jerusalem until he was killed in 72AD. Just imagine the life he led. He faced the
opposition of the people of Jerusalem to The Way continuously. Undoubtedly he
came across much to be pessimistic about, but his faith in Christ gave him the
wisdom to counsel us to accept trials with joy.
I doubt that even he expected his listeners to be able to always
maintain an optimistic view, especially in the face of acute danger. Still he maintained the view that faith will
be its own reward. That God can be trusted without doubt.
It is easier to be pessimistic than to be optimistic. Pessimism gives up without a fight. Optimism keeps finding reasons to be so. Optimism realizes that, if things look bleak,
it’s time to do something. Sometimes the
only thing to do is pray and that is what the optimist does, prays with
hope. Hope is not a word in the pessimist
vocabulary. It is not possible to be a
follower of Christ and be a pessimist. Optimism
has the power to lift the spirit out of the gloom and into the light.
Christ, our light, is hope personified.
James counsels that we consider every trial a cause for joy
because enduring trials strengthens us.
It is possible that Judas’ pessimistic viewpoint led him to betray Jesus.
Unquestionably his pessimism led to his suicide. He had no hope because he did not believe in
God’s mercy even though he spent years in Jesus’ company. It may be one of the saddest stories
ever.
Jesus most common remark was “Fear not”. There is no room
for fear in the life of the optimist.
There will be disappointments, but the faithful know that even then God triumphs
and we move forward without doubt as God gives us what we need to prevail.
Blessings,
Carol Lemelin OPA
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