Even churches have pessimists, I’m afraid. I invite you to join me in using this test to determine if you might be one of them:
- You assume the worst about most people and situations. Even if everything sounds good, you assume there’s some ulterior unspoken motive.
- You see only the negative. You may think you’re the only one in the room who sees reality (at least as you see it), but you never see any positive.
- Everything is negative unless it’s your idea. If it’s your idea, though, it’s all positive.
- Every sentence has a “but”. . . . Even a sentence that begins with “I really like that idea” still continues with a “but here’s the problem I see.”
- You see yourself as a realist, not a pessimist. I don’t know anyone who considers himself or herself a pessimist.
- Optimists bug you. In your opinion, they live in the clouds.
- You see everyone else around you as pessimists. In many cases, they’re actually modeling you—but you don’t recognize it.
- You continually point out the difference between “faith” and “foolishness.” You’re more concerned about crossing the line into foolishness than you are about walking by faith.
- Prayer is not easy. That’s because genuine prayer requires looking forward with hope and trust and confidence.
- Your friendships don’t typically last long. Even brothers and sisters in Christ aren’t interested in hanging around you for long – but your tendency is to blame them.
- This post bugs you. To be honest, portions of this post bug me, and I wrote it! I, too, can be a pessimist at times. Please pray for me.
What other characteristics come to mind?
Chuck, you often write about spiritual warfare. Isn’t a pessimistic attitude what the devil wants us to adopt?
He certainly wants us to lack joy, Robin, and pessimism does that. Thanks.