Pessimist vs. Optimist?

Q: I really get tired of the doom and gloom outlook of some people. They look at the circumstances around us and conclude that "the world is going to hell in a hand-basket" - to coin a phrase of one of my co-workers. Aren't Christian supposed to be optimistic people? Don't we of all people have reason for hope? Shouldn't we have positive attitudes about the future?

A: What you say is partially true. Christians do have reason for hope. Considerable reason. But that hope is not tied to the circumstances here on earth. That hope is not tied to world peace, or a strong economy. It isn't buffeted by unemployment or inflation or corruption. It is grounded in the fact that we are spiritual beings, having a human experience. And our hope is not found in that human experience.

Look at the book of Revelation, the last book in the Protestant Bible. It foretells a world that frankly is pretty unnerving. Wars, natural disasters, corruption, pain and other anguishing signs are to be increasingly upon this world that we live in. So your co-worker, for example, is right. The world is "going to hell in a hand-basket!" But these are signs of divine prophecy. These are the signs that Jesus' return is imminent. That is the reason for our hope.

Christians should have a positive outlook on life, because we see it as eternal. And we should always be prepared to explain the reason for our hope (1 Peter 3:15) - helping others understand that hope isn't dependent on these worldly circumstances. This whole business of "the power of positive thinking" is frankly a bunch of man-made bunk. It isn't for true Christ-followers. For this world will pass away (1 John 2:17) --- and that is our reason for hope.

The wars, natural disasters and other issues that humans face in this earthly life? They might even be viewed as evidence of the fact that the world is in the process of passing away. So as Christians, we should be supportive and loving of the people who are suffering. But we should not be confused about what this suffering means.