Pessimism Into Realism

I'm not sure if my touch of pessimism keeps me honest or keeps me from embracing things wholeheartedly. It sure permeates lots of areas of my life. I don't like seeing it in other people, but I guess I have a double-standard; I've been living with my own pessimism for a long time. People complain about the music over which I've prayed and our team has prepared each week, and I immediately think, "If only they made good assumptions instead of bad, they probably wouldn't be saying that."

My current personal life project could be called "Transforming Pessimism Into Useful Realism" ("Optimism" will hopefully come after that). If I were to write a book on it right now, it would have a title and a page of special thanks to all those who've endured my pessimism over the years (that'd be nearly everyone who's come in contact with me on a deeper-than-courteous-interaction level), but it wouldn't have a whole lot of content just yet.

Pessimism can actually manifest itself in ways that, at a glance, look like humility. Last weekend I was judging a local battle of the bands with a friend I hadn't seen in years (check out Guitorchestra (TM)). While he's a better musician and recording engineer than I (and may have recorded more noteworthy artists than have I), we have somewhat similar backgrounds. I noticed something about the way we each introduced ourselves to various people when telling them about our qualifications. When I would note my recording and production credentials (20 years or so of recording and producing local acts, with a few ultra-top-notch players in there), I would say something like, "I haven't recorded anyone 'famous' except maybe Shania Twain's rhythm section and Heartland on their first couple of demos" (usually stopping my sentence before naming anyone), whereas Mychael would typically say something more like, "I've produced and recorded independent artists for more than 25 years."

Both of those statements say essentially the same thing, but my statement started with, "I haven't," and his started with, "I have..." Some would say that I was being humble, and I wish that were the total reason for my approach, but mostly it's due to my "glass is half-empty" mentality.

The other day I was talking with a Christian friend about something relating to following Christ, and I began my statement with, "I have a fundamental problem with..." and before my sentence was complete, he began to laugh, and exclaimed, "You have a fundamental problem with everything!" Upon realizing that he was absolutely right, I started laughing at myself.

This is not to tell you all about my pessimism, although I've probably done a decent job of that so far. My point is to say that pessimism is not typically healthy for the life and growth of a Christ-follower. While it can help us to be on our guard against false doctrines, missteps, etc., it can also keep us from experiencing joy and embracing situations and people wholeheartedly.

For me, step one in "Turning Pessimism Into Useful Realism" is stated in this brief clip from Paul's letter to the Philippians: "For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you." (Philippians 2:13-15a, NLT)

Here again, as in so many situations, an act of the will is required. We're instructed to act in a way that God has given us the power to act. We have the choice to refrain from that action, but obeying it is another step in allowing God to transform us from the inside out (Romans 12:2).

Posted in: Christianity, Interaction, Life, Personality