Skip to main content

The difference between faith and optimism


Faith is based on what God can do- it's not dependent on human experience- not based on human ability- not based on human qualifications.

Optimism is based on the human ability to pull through, to have enough resources to make it through. It's based on experience of making it through enough to be pretty sure things tend to go well most of the time.  The old Aussie saying we know and love.."she'll be right, mate"...Optimism is hard to scrape up when your experiences have been full of disappointment in the resources of others and your own- failing- not measuring up- there not being enough- people not coming through- not being able to come through for others.

Some people are very optimistic and positive and we may assume that equates with faith but not necessarily.

Look for those with the gift of faith to share your dreams with!!!! Protect the dreams of your heart by sharing with those who will see with the eyes of faith.  Faith sees the calling of the Lord.  Faith looks for and sees the provision of the Lord. Faith looks for and sees the strength of God.  Faith is based in God's power....
versus...
Human plans.  Human gathering of resources, based on man's strength and capability.

Refuse to operate from a spirit of optimism.

I am not naturally optimistic.  If you are not also you may be at an advantage because you have to lean on faith more quickly!!!. 

Faith is more vulnerable than optimism because it is being certain of what is not seen- the capability and resources and capacity that is not there!!! But the amazing God who is!!!! Faith in the face of nothing in terms of human resources believes for everything and more.  Optimism may believe 80 can stretch to 100, but faith believes -100 can become +100. 

Beware of rushing ahead in plans arising from popular human expectation to achieve your dreams.  Receiving such expectations can squelch our faith.  Faith may be cast as a naive 'side point' amidst the 'real human action'. Don't let your faith be trampled on by someone else as naive wishing!!!

Protect your dreams- prayerfully seek who to confide in- and when- and look beyond the happy and optimistic appearances for those 'full of faith'!!!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Rebel thoughts

Rebel thoughts are thoughts that set themselves up against the knowledge of God.  We don't want them but sometimes we accept them as innocent unknowingly.  These thoughts can be sneaky so we need to identify them to be able to take them down.  When I say take down, I mean wrestle down to the ground in submission...demolish... "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" 2 Corinthians 10 v 5 What is the knowledge we have of God? His attributes His character His promises All God is for me in Christ Jesus. Which of my thoughts are setting themselves up against the knowledge of God?  The devil will be encouraging these thoughts.  The fruit of such thoughts will be the opposite of what God gives; joy, peace, hope.  So what thoughts are causing depression, anxiety/restlessness and hopelessness? These are some of my recent rebel thoughts...
2 comments
Read more

A river in the wilderness

Isaiah 43. 18-21 Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold I am doing something new, Now it will spring forth Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert. The beasts of the field will glorify me, The jackals and the ostriches, Because I have given waters in the wilderness And rivers in the desert To give drink to My chosen people The people I have formed for myself will declare my praise. Some believers live in a wilderness place. Past hopes and dreams have been dashed. Because of unbelief at various times they have not walked in the fullness and richness of life that God had in store. Battles with sin and the devil have worn them down and they feel dry, discouraged, defeated. But God knows and cares. He doesn't always lift them out and take them to a new life and new place. Sometimes that is necessary but these particular believers are to remain where they are...He is sen...
1 comment
Read more

Reflections on the book of Ruth: Naomi's bitterness and blessing

“...the Lords hand has gone out against me” Ruth 1 v 13  So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem.  When they arrived in Bethlehem the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women exclaimed, ‘Can this be Naomi?’ Don’t call me Naomi, she told them.  Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter.  I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty.  Why call me Naomi?  The Lord has afflicted me; the almighty has brought misfortune upon me” Ruth 1 v 19-21 Sometimes I think about seeing old friends and I think their expectations would be disappointed.  I may think of my youth, when first saved, and think how cheery and free I was- working, capable, social.  But one thing I read about Naomi’s possible musings in an article was whether she remembered the peace with God she used to enjoy in her youth…and that added to her sorrow. I feel a great deal of stress- and not a lot of peace- I look fo...
Post a Comment
Read more