Are you an Optimist or a Pessimist?

[aspen]

Optimism is a mental attitude that interprets situations and events as being best (optimized), meaning that in some way for factors that may not be fully comprehended, the present moment is in an optimum state. The concept is typically extended to include the attitude of hope for future conditions unfolding as optimal as well.

Pessimism is a state of mind or world view in which one anticipates negative outcomes or believes that the evil, hardships, dangers, displeasures in life outweigh or dominate the good, luxuries, securities, pleasures in life.

Does one outlook reflect more of a Christian outlook? Neither? Both?

Is one outlook better at gauging reality? Neither? Both?

Is one outlook more likely to produce happiness? Neither? Both?

 

[justaname]

Always look on the bright side of life!

 

[us2are1]

Optimism is a mental attitude that interprets situations and events as being best (optimized), meaning that in some way for factors that may not be fully comprehended, the present moment is in an optimum state. The concept is typically extended to include the attitude of hope for future conditions unfolding as optimal as well.

Pessimism is a state of mind or world view in which one anticipates negative outcomes or believes that the evil, hardships, dangers, displeasures in life outweigh or dominate the good, luxuries, securities, pleasures in life.

Does one outlook reflect more of a Christian outlook? Neither? Both?

Is one outlook better at gauging reality? Neither? Both?

Is one outlook more likely to produce happiness? Neither? Both?

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

To those who, in spirit and truth, fit the afore mentioned ticket i am a Optimist.
to everyone else i am sure they view me as a Pessimist.

It depends on who's will you seek.

 

[Rach1370]

Ha! Tough question! I think my natural state is pessimism, but when I stop, step back from a situation and look to God, I become an optimist. It's hard not to when you realise that God loves you, and even if a situation is hard, he'll lead you through it to your benefit.

Does one outlook reflect more of a Christian outlook? Neither? Both?
Is one outlook better at gauging reality? Neither? Both?
Is one outlook more likely to produce happiness? Neither? Both?

I don't know. Because a Christian should definitely be able to look out and see the evil in the world...it would be unwise for us to overlook the enemy...Satan and sin...and it's effect on the world. But that doesn't mean we expect evil to always happen and triumph...which I think pessimism does. I think we need to see it, but know that if and when he chooses, God will end it or use it for good.
I think that it's way to easy to live as a pessimist, because of the state of the world. What we see, everyday....the things that are feed to us, on the news and all around...is the bad things. So in one way this is our reality...the world we live in. But we must remember that even though the spiritual world isn't visible to us, it's just as real. Knowing that and keeping an eye out for the work of it in people's lives, changes how we see things and react to things. Knowing that God is shaping, allowing or controlling everything in this world and ultimately steering it to an ultimate
conclusion where we acknowledge him King and Lord...well....that certainly helps our outlook!
And as far as happiness goes....I don't know. People are strange creatures. You would think being an optimist would make you happier...but I know people who love being a pessimist! I suppose that's why God made us all different...if we didn't have pessimists we wouldn't have back up plans, emergency supplies etc, etc!!

 

[justaname]

Attitudes and emotions shape our experiences both inward and outward. Attitudes and emotions effect people experiencing your direction and or source.

 

[Prentis]

Pessimist towards the situation of the flesh! Optimist towards the hope we have in Christ! ;)

We face reality for the situation we are in, in this fallen world... But we have hope through Christ. When we call men, we look pessimistic towards the current situation, but optimistic because of our hope for those who understand it.

It actually isn't pessimism or optimism, it is to see both the reality as what it is, while keeping in mind the promises of God.

We declare the utter fall of the spiritual powers that reign and we declare the coming of a new kingdom. To those who cling to the present powers, we seem to be anarchists, to those who see the coming kingdom, we are establishing the only order that can bring life... The order of God.

 

[prism]

Ha! Tough question! I think my natural state is pessimism, but when I stop, step back from a situation and look to God, I become an optimist. It's hard not to when you realise that God loves you, and even if a situation is hard, he'll lead you through it to your benefit.



I don't know. Because a Christian should definitely be able to look out and see the evil in the world...it would be unwise for us to overlook the enemy...Satan and sin...and it's effect on the world. But that doesn't mean we expect evil to always happen and triumph...which I think pessimism does. I think we need to see it, but know that if and when he chooses, God will end it or use it for good.
I think that it's way to easy to live as a pessimist, because of the state of the world. What we see, everyday....the things that are feed to us, on the news and all around...is the bad things. So in one way this is our reality...the world we live in. But we must remember that even though the spiritual world isn't visible to us, it's just as real. Knowing that and keeping an eye out for the work of it in people's lives, changes how we see things and react to things. Knowing that God is shaping, allowing or controlling everything in this world and ultimately steering it to an ultimate
conclusion where we acknowledge him King and Lord...well....that certainly helps our outlook!
And as far as happiness goes....I don't know. People are strange creatures. You would think being an optimist would make you happier...but I know people who love being a pessimist! I suppose that's why God made us all different...if we didn't have pessimists we wouldn't have back up plans, emergency supplies etc, etc!!

Nicely written, you are even optimistic over the pessimist.

 

[aspen]

As Prism pointed out - you can be optimistic about negative situations while still being realistic.

 

[Arnie Manitoba]

I am a Confirmed optimist .... I always (genuinely) keep a bright outlook .... even at the hardest times in my life (been a few of them).

I feel that my optimism is good ...... (especially as a christian) ..... mine is grounded in a genuine faith ..... no matter how bad things are .... I am still on the winning team .... i feel this is a realistic outlook .... not a false hope.

However .... I sometimes mis-apply my optimism in my daily life. I will see a very difficult task ahead and tackle it head-on with the best of intentions .... and expect good results. ..... I am talking genuine optimism .... not some "shallow positive thinking" frame of mind.

Sometimes it does not work out. ..... I can be a slow learner .... especially if I fail at something ..... then I realize (to late) I should have just said "no thanks" .... I cannot do that ...... and walked away from the project (challenge) (request).

I have a hard time saying "no" .... my optimistic enthusiasm wants to override proper planning and proper consideration and always say .... "yes" .

I feel this type of optimism is a flaw in my personality that I had to learn to harness. (learn the hard way)

In spite of some failures through life .... I have no regrets ..... simply because those around me who were "too smart" to tackle the same things as me .... were pessimists ..... who spend most of their time talking about how smart they were by not doing like I did.

They did not have as many failures . They played it safe. They found every reason not to do something.

I may leap ahead a thousand unplanned steps ..... get kicked back three hundred steps .... bruised and battered maybe ...... but nevertheless I am still seven hundred steps ahead of the pessimist.

How's that for a bright outlook ..... :)

 

[aspen]

Ha! Arnie - great insight! We are so similar in this area - I even feel good about the pitfalls that you wrote about......