John 11:16 Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”
There will be one bad apple in a basket no matter how good the produce is. Similarly, there will be one pessimistic person in a group of friends, colleague or church mates. Most pessimists suffer from “imposter syndrome”. It is a condition as a result of an internalized, cryptic self-doubt of the abilities and gifts. It is the inability to enjoy achievements. Journal of General Internal Medicine in 2019 published a study that impostor syndrome is closely related to pessimistic attitudes. Childhood trauma, disappointments of falling short of standards or a pattern of constant negative, self-defeating and deficient thoughts can morph us into a pessimistic person. Pessimists constantly live in the fear of future failure.
Among the 12 interns that Jesus trained, one was a pessimistic doubter, ‘Didy’ (Thomas). When Jesus got the news that his friend Lazarus had died, he was in the region of Jordan, about 20 miles away from Bethany (the hometown of the dead man). Previously when Jesus was in Jerusalem the Pharisees tried to stone Him. So when Jesus wanted to travel back to Bethany which was only 2 miles away from the Jerusalem the disciples were concerned about His safety. However, ‘Didy (Thomas) the pessimist nerd saw a drastic end to the journey, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.” Jesus pealed the veneer of pessimism by redirecting the doubt to His destiny on earth. He comforted them that no persecution, pain or peril will harm Him until the appointed time (John 11:9&10).
Three common ways to handle “pessimist” and overcome pessimism:
- Doubt: Pessimists are doubters. Pessimists doubt their ability hence they view others with the same lens. They dwell on the unforeseen evil foreboding to crumble their plan and dread an invisible sword hanging over their head 24/7. To overcome pessimistic broodings, revisit your purpose. The purpose of a person’s life is hidden in God’s promise. Mental capabilities, social limitations or intellectual competence are irrelevant for God to fulfill His purpose in our lives. If God can use birdbrain pessimists to become powerful prophets, He can use the doubtful worrier too. Overcome pessimism by focusing on the promise.
- Derail: Pessimists derail. Self deprivation causes pessimists to derail from their purpose. Habitually they undermine their aptitude, prospects and progress. “Nothing good will happen to me” is a self-proclaimed demonic prophecy of a pessimist. They constantly eat the fruit of their proclamations. Those who love it will eat its fruit (Proverbs 18:21b). Overcome pessimism by changing your vocabulary.
- Dampen: Pessimists dampen enthusiasm. Pessimists say the wrong things at the wrong time and pour water on the fire of fervor. Pessimists live in the dread of the future failure. They have concluded that the world has come to an end, businesses will fold-in and tomorrow is will be bleak, grim and droughty as the pandemic is currently running rampant. Pessimism can be overcome by replacing the negative thought patterns with positive envisages of God’s promises. Overcome pessimism by changing the image of your future.
Defeat pessimism by pulsating positivity.
Psalms 46:3 & 10a though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. He says, “Be still, and know that I am God.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, even if the earth violently shakes, tsunami raises over the shores or a lethal volcano erupts, teach me not to flail and fall but stand tall and firm. Amen.
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