Through my 66 years of life, I have had the privilege of meeting persons, all of whom are special in their own way. Special, yes, but so very different. I am truly amazed at how vastly different we all are from one another.

My wife and I were watching some television program recently, and I made the observation that it is astounding how we all share the same basic facial features, and yet, we are all so unique. There are those occasions in which we cross paths with someone who looks so similar to someone we know, but upon closer observation we see differences that set them apart. Even ‘identical twins’ have their distinctions. We are all very different.

But we are different in other ways as well. This week, I would like to focus my thoughts on one way that we are all so very different: Outlook. How do you look at the “stuff” of life? Do you think of yourself as an optimist? A pessimist? A realist? Or would you say that your outlook changes from day to day, and from experience to experience? I have met a few individuals who seem to change from optimist to pessimist instantly! But, for the sake of time and clarity, let’s focus our attention on the general outlook that characterizes our lives.

First, let’s focus our attention on the pessimist. Give some thought to the definition of pessimism: 

1. the tendency to see, anticipate, or emphasize only bad or undesirable outcomes, results, conditions, problems, etc.: His pessimism about the future of our country depresses me.
2. the doctrine that the existing world is the worst of all possible worlds, or that all things naturally tend to evil.
3. the belief that the evil and pain in the world are not compensated for by goodness and happiness.

Wow! That is pretty depressing, huh? When I read that definition I am reminded of a statement Vance Havner made in a sermon: “It is hard to be optimistic when you have a misty optic.” When your belief is that the existing world is the worst of all possible worlds, then your outlook will be tainted with discouragement and despair. You will see no light at the end of the tunnel. You will, as Christian and his companion, Hopeful, found themselves, in the dungeon of despair below the castle of discouragement. 

Now, let’s think for a moment about optimism. Consider the following definition:

1. a disposition or tendency to look on the more favorable side of events or conditions and to expect the most favorable outcome.
2. the belief that good ultimately predominates over evil in the world.
3. the belief that goodness pervades reality.

The optimist will view life and world events from a much more positive perspective. And again, think about the second definition: the belief that good ultimately predominates over evil in the world. The pessimist, seeing nothing but negative, tends toward darkness of spirit and brooding over the potential of disaster, while the optimist sees light at the end of the tunnel, which leads to the belief that all things will somehow work out in a positive and even beneficial way in the end.

Finally, let’s give attention to the definition of realism:

1. interest in or concern for the actual or real, as distinguished from the abstract, speculative, etc.
2. the tendency to view or represent things as they really are.

The realist will see things for what they really are. They don’t perceive negative results or positive ends, they simply see the reality of what is before them.

For both the optimist and the pessimist, a certain amount of speculation is necessary. The optimist will speculate that all things are going to somehow end with positive and beneficial results, while the pessimist will only perceive negative and detrimental results. The realist will simply see things for what they are, and not necessarily perceive either positive or negative ramifications.

I must bring this to a close, and I will attempt to do that by focusing on how the believer in Jesus Christ should view personal and world events. There should be a healthy mixture of realism and optimism. Let me explain. Jesus told His followers that they would have trouble in this life. The Apostle Paul taught that as time goes on, there would be an acceleration of trouble and turmoil on the world scene. Jesus and Paul did not share these things with the intent of causing us to be pessimists, but rather to see all these things as part of a much larger picture. And, to see things as they really are: part of God’s design and plan.

Jesus and Paul also taught that we should view world events, as well as personal experiences, from the end back to the present. In other words, we should always have the end in sight. Yes, there is light at the end of the tunnel. And no matter how dark the tunnel might become, and how turbulent the travel through the tunnel might be, the believer in Jesus should always rest assured of the fact that there is light, and know that the light is Jesus Himself. 

Are there moments of discouragement in the lives of believers? Most certainly! But those moments should not define our lives, nor should they determine our future. Rather, the end should define the present. We should live every moment with the end in view. If we can accomplish this, then we will not be pessimistic, but we will be realists with an optimistic outlook. Let’s all strive for this perspective, and may it allow us to look to the future with hope and anticipation.