2. Overview Define Optimism & Pessimism We’ll evaluate some situations –Feelings/Actions towards fellow men & Christians –Our Health –Work of the Church –Our Journey through Our Lives Time We should be Pessimistic Optimism vs. Pessimism

3. Definitions Optimism is defined as… –a disposition or tendency to look on the more favorable side of events or conditions and to expect the most favorable outcome.disposition –the belief that good ultimately predominates over evil in the world. –the belief that goodness pervades reality.. Optimism

4. Synonyms for Optimism Optimism Anticipation Assurance Brightness Calmness Certainty Cheer Cheerfulness Confidence Easiness Encouragement Enthusiasm Exhilaration Expectation Happiness Hopefulness Sureness Trust Idealism Positivism

5. Definitions Pessimism is defined as… –The tendency to see, anticipate, or emphasize only bad or undesirable outcomes, results, conditions, problems –The doctrine that the existing world is the worst of all possible worlds, or that all things naturally tend to evil –The belief that the evil and pain in the world are not compensated for by goodness and happiness. happiness Pessimism

6. Synonyms for Pessimism Cynicism Dark Side Dejection Depression Despair Dim View Distrust Expectation of Worst Gloom Grief Hopelessness Low Spirits Unhappiness Sadness Despondency Pessimism

7. “An optimist may see a light where there is none, But why must the pessimist always run to blow it out?” - Rene Descartes What Others Are Saying…

8. Should we be Optimistic towards our fellow Man/Christians? Can we be Pessimistic or Cynic towards are fellow Brethren? –1 Jn 3:10 –1 Jn 4:20 Can we afford not to “Love Our Neighbor?” –Mar 12:33 How does Optimism apply to our Christian Life?

9. Should we be Optimistic towards our fellow Man/Christians? How does our attitude affect those around us? –If we are Negative, how can we be a Shining Light? Mat 5:16 –Will we come across as hypocrites? 1 Jn 3:18 How does Optimism apply to our Christian Life?

10. Optimism Concerning Our Health Hypercondrism Becoming depressed over one’s health or of a loved one –Rom 8:31 –Heb 13:5 How does Optimism apply to our Christian Life?

11. Optimism Concerning Our Health 2 Cor 4:17 “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,” How does Optimism apply to our Christian Life?

12. Optimism & Work of the Church Article by Rick Liggen called “Positively Optimistic” –Pessimist, Cynic and a Fatalist –“Such a negative person not only hurts themselves, but those around them. –They’re a menace to any team effort… God not fate controls the world… –Jam 4:14-15 How does Optimism apply to our Christian Life?

13. Pessimism & Growth of the Church Don’t have confidence in themselves OR in God Perhaps they settle for mediocrity or complacency Maybe they feel they have gone as far as they need to go How does Optimism apply to our Christian Life?

14. Christians should be Optimistic because… The Spirtural blessings we have received –Col 3:1, 2 Because God is on our side –Php 4:13 –Rom 8:31 In teaching and attempting to convert the lost –1 Cor 3:7 How does Optimism apply to our Christian Life?

15. “Optimism is a seed sown in the soil of faith; pessimism is a seed hoarded in the vault of doubt.” - William Arthur Ward What Others Are Saying…

16. Our Journey Through Life Our attitudes towards our Jobs –Do we complain and/or not satisfied with our profession? –Do we strive for more because we are not satisfied? Luk 3:14 Our Welfare –Heb 13:5 Pessimism in our daily lives

17. Our Journey Through Life Materialism –Col 3:2 –Luk 12:22, 23 –1 Ti 6:8 Pessimism in our daily lives

18. “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence. ” - Helen Keller What Others Are Saying…

19. When Should We Pessimistic When dealing with false prophets –Mat 7:15 When being tempted by the devil –Jam 1:14 With anything that is contrary to the Scriptures –2 Tim 4:3 Pessimism in our Christian lives

20. “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” - Winston Churchill What Others Are Saying…

21. “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” - Robert Louis Stevenson What Others Are Saying…

22. In Closing Defined Optimism & Pessimism We evaluated some situations –Feelings/Actions towards fellow men & Christians –Our Health –Work of the Church –Our Journey through Our Lives Looked at Times We should be Pessimistic Optimism v's Pessimism

23. God’s Plan of Salvation Here the Gospel – Rom 10:17 Believe Jesus is the Christ – Jn 8:24 Repent of Sin – Act 2:38 Be Baptized – Mk 16:16 Be Faithful – 1 Cor 15:58 Optimism