"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus" - 1 Thessalonians 5: 17-18 (NIV).
A pessimist has been described as a "person who sees the worst side of things because they believe the worst will happen"! Instead of seeing the bright side of life pessimists dwell on the dark side of the coin. Their language so often betrays them. Before even trying an easy low jump a pessimist quickly submits, "No, I can't!"
Pessimist have sometimes been influenced by their environment. They could have grown up among people with dour moods. Their conversation is always negative, giving few chance. Someone grows into a career of being an apostle of "see, I told you!" because he grew up with doomsayers.
In the Bible we come across one character who was an optimist. When misfortune occured to Job where he without warning lost all his livestock and children, he simply rose and offered, "Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21-22). Can you imagine praising God in the midst of such terrible circumstances!
Job had a companion with an acid toungue. After Satan struck him with a skin disease all over, "His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity Curse God and die!” He replied, “You are talking like a foolishwoman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” (Job 2:9-10).
Eventually as we know Job's optimism would pay off. After enduring through all his trials with his faith intact, "The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys" (Job 42:12).
Today, if you are a career pessimist, you can work on this habit by learning to see the sunny side of things. Instead of dwelling on negative look out for the good in something. Above all never let the enemy take away your faith but give praise in all circumstances, and you would be surprised!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I pray for faith and looking up to you in all circumstances, for you are good and your love endures all the time, this I pray in Jesus's name.
