What is an optimistic person? One who expects the best possible outcome. The origin of this often-used word comes from the Latin optimus meaning best. The pessimist on the other hand sees a future which is clouded with difficulties.

The Bible tells the story about two optimists… their names were Caleb and Joshua. The went into the promised land of Canaan to check it out with ten others. The others were pessimists and could only think about the fortified cities they saw and the powerful inhabitants. There report to Moses was totally negative and as a result they didn’t get what God had promised them.

Caleb and Joshua on the other hand saw the potential of the land and that it could be easily possessed. Their focus was firmly on the possibilities, not the problems. Pessimists doubt and do nothing, while the optimists say… “we can certainly do it”.

As we live our Christian lives, we can either be an optimist or a pessimist. Doing God’s will does not give us immunity from problems, but a positive attitude will overcome them.

Ref. Num. 13:30, Phil.4:13. NIV.