Pessimism, the Destroyer of Faith

"Faith, which is trust, and fear are opposite poles. If a man has the one, he can scarcely have the other in vigorous operation. He that has his trust set upon God does not need to dread anything except the weakening or the paralyzing of that trust."  - Alexander MacLaren

Religious pessimism can often result from frustrated and disappointed religious expectations. Many religious people have high expectations of themselves and others. Then when either of these fails to measure up to unreasonable expectations, they experience disillusionment, disappointment, and even despair.

It's very important to understand that we are not accountable for the entire course of history, nor the response of others. Instead, we are responsible for our own lives and for our witness to others.

It might also help to keep in mind that we can't see what may be taking place within the hearts and lives of others. They may be responding to God beyond what we can only see on the surface.

In the Old Testament, when the Hebrews were in need of encouragement for some problem they were facing, they reminded each other of God's great acts in history. Many times, the reminder of what God has done in the past is all we need to have courage for today and tomorrow.

By either forgetting what God has done in the past or refusing to believe that God might do it again in the future, some people become pessimistic and defeated. History is replete with incidents in which God acted to redeem people who were otherwise without hope.

History also teaches us that people, in spite of their sinfulness, often do respond to God and live up to their responsibilities in a way that conforms to those made "in the image of God" (Genesis 1:27). Human life, however, is never determined exclusively by the past or the present, we look forward in hope.

This hope isn't just some sort of foolish dream, either. It is firmly grounded in the knowledge of what God has done in the past. When people succumb to the temptation of pessimism and stop expecting others to try too, they have unwittingly allowed fear to paralyze them.

When hope dies, despair is born. Faith is the opposite of fear; fear designates the passing of faith. Pessimism is a state of inaction in which one has lost hope and therefore doesn't expect improvement. Sadly, pessimists convince themselves that they can face the future only with an attitude of resignation...they must simply endure.

But Christian faith is known for its joyful, expectant attitude about what God will do in the future based on what he has done in the past. Far too many Christians live in resignation while thinking that their attitude is one of faith. They must  realize that God wants so much more for them.

He desires to send them forth as victors to lead others to victory, to "be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power... Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes" (Ephesians  6:10-11)

Scripture: Romans 8:28; Proverbs 4:23; Philippians 4:13;John 16:33; Psalm 42:5 

Prayer: Dear God our Father, each of us can rejoice at all that is good about ourselves. May we be people who encourage others; always being ready to give praise and thanks when they are due, amen.

May God bless you,

Kaye