The Optimism of Christianity

Pop Quiz: What is your attitude toward your future currently? 1. I expect good things to happen to me mostly and look to the future with confidence and faith. - Or 2. I expect bad things to happen to me mostly and look to the future with fear and doubt.

• If you answered #1, then your attitude tends toward optimism.
• If you answered #2 then your attitude tends toward pessimism.

After discovering the definition of optimism, plus several studies about the benefits of an optimistic attitude, I thought to myself: ''Christians have so many reasons for optimism!'' Why? Hope, confidence, and optimism fill God's promises in the Bible. After that thought, I wrote down 5 Christians beliefs that shape an optimistic attitude. The more you renew your mind to these truths, the more you'll develop an optimistic attitude. You'll become a person who looks to the future with confidence and expects good things to happen to them. Plus, you'll get the scriptures to support each of these truths. Prepare for encouragement! Before I give the 5 beliefs however, let me share the benefits of cultivating an optimistic attitude, based on the scientific studies I found.

The Benefits of an Optimistic Attitude

People who cultivate an optimistic attitude tend to experience more positive results in life:

• Increased income potential and resilience to stress (Link to research study)
• Elevated grade point averages and college retention (Link to research study)
• Greater positive health outcomes (Link to research study)
• Less distress before surgery or medical treatments, plus more life satisfaction afterwards (Link to research study)
• Higher relationship satisfaction and support from their romantic partners (Link to research study)

An Optimistic Attitude Built on God's Promises

Here are the 5 Christians beliefs that shape an optimistic attitude naturally and the scriptures that support them. After all, we don't call the gospel the good news for nothing! 1. God loves us. We believe that we became Christians on the basis of God's love. He wanted to reconcile with us through giving His Son as a sacrifice for our sins:

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39).

2. God has a great plan for our lives. God created us on purpose and for a purpose. Therefore, our purpose is not just to hang out on this Earth, but to glorify God.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10).

3. God is with us during hardships. Jesus never promised us an easy road; He said that we would have tribulations, but we are never alone in them. God has given us everything we need to face life challenges with courage and confidence.

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10).’''

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world (John 16:33).”

4. God has given us everything we need to succeed. God has equipped us to succeed in doing what He calls us to do with His wisdom and by His Spirit.

"Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust (2 Peter 1:2-4).

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him (James 1:5)."

5. When our lives on Earth are over, we will live on in Eternity with Jesus. Christians have no need to fear death; when we pass away on Earth, we merely change addresses! Our lives continue on in the presence of the Lord.

And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day (John 6:40).”

Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him (John 6:27).”

So you see, Christianity is full of optimism, which Christians can grab hold of in the midst of trials. We recognize that all trials are temporary, but our life in Christ is eternal. Our beliefs are based on our relationship with Him and our position in Him. Therefore our hope is rooted in Him, not the things of this world. If you ever find yourself drifting into pessimism, full of doubt when you look to the future and mostly expecting bad things to happen to you, then encourage yourself with these words that King David wrote:

Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God (Psalm 42:11 )."

Focus on gratitude for God's presence and find strength in His promises. Your vision of the future will become brighter and you will face it with confidence. It's not just about what you know, but Who you know!