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The Benefits of Being Pessimistic. Two Ways of Looking at Life. Pessimistically. Half Empty. Optimistically. Half Full. Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) Pessimism — A disposition to take the least hopeful view of things.
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Two Ways of Looking at Life Pessimistically Half Empty Optimistically Half Full
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)Pessimism—Adisposition to take the least hopeful view of things. • Word Net ® 2.0Pessimism—(a) the feeling that things will turn out badly (ant: optimism) (b) a general disposition to look on the dark side and to expect the worst of all things (ant: optimism)
(1)Kills joy (Philippians 4:4) • Produces fear and anxiety(Hebrews 13:6; Matthew 6:25-33; Matthew 25:25)
(2) Weakens faith(Matthew 8:25-27) • Pessimism results from lack of faith. • Pessimism is born of doubt; optimism is born of faith. • Pessimism produces more doubts and results in disobedience.
(3) Yields constant discouragement (Hebrews 12:3,5) • The pessimist feels helpless (Numbers 13:28-33).“We are not able”
(4) Stops progress (Matthew 13:21) • Prevents one from achieving (Matthew 25:25; Numbers 13:31; Numbers 14:23,24).
The Benefits of Optimism • Strengthens faith (Matthew 7:7). • Optimism is a result of faith (Romans 4:19,20). • It produces more faith and results in obedience (James 2:21-24).
The Benefits of Optimism • Yields encouragement (Romans 8:31-39) • The Optimist feels unstoppable (Numbers 13:30; 1 Samuel 17:26, 32-37).
The Benefits of Optimism • Quickens joy (Romans 5:2) • Producing comfort and contentment (Matthew 5:12; Acts 5:41)
The Benefits of Optimism • Enables progress (Philippians 4:13) • We can grow (2 Peter 1:5-10). • We can overcome (Romans 8:31, 37-39; 1 Corinthians 10:13). • We can do God’s work (Psalm 27:1-3; 118:6; Colossians 1:23).
CONCLUSION We must be realists! • (John 8:32) • What is real?(John 17:17) • How do I relate to that which is real?(Romans 2:5-11) • Adversity –(2 Timothy 3:12) • Faith –(Hebrews 13:5) • Consequences – (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. “ Isaiah 41:10 “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.” Do We Truly Believe It?