Faith Over Optimism

I tend to be a pretty optimistic person. Sometimes I’m overly optimistic and can’t get everything don’t that I thought I could. I’m also a person who operates in faith. I believe God for things that are out of my reach and abilities. Almost daily I pray for an impossibility to become possible. I’ve learned that it’s more important to be a person of faith than one of optimism. Faith depends on God while optimism depends on me. When my optimism is faced with reality, it can be crushing to me that I can’t do what I thought I could. When my faith faces the reality of situations, I believe and trust God to do what man can’t. Faith gives hope in the most dire situations knowing God is able.

In Numbers 13, Moses sent twelve spies into the land to see if it had everything God promised. In verses 17- 20, he told them to look at the terrain, look at the fortification of the cities, the fertility of the land and the people living there. When the spies were in the land, they saw that it was a good land. They thought of everything they could do with it. However, they saw fortified cities with giant walls and giants throughout the country. The men who had been optimistic saw that they couldn’t tear down walls nor defeat giants, so they brought back a bad report. The two who had faith knew God would show up and keep His promise. The whole congregation believed the report of the newly pessimistic over the one of faith. Everyone, but the two men of faith were kept from entering the Promised Land.

In Matthew 19:26 Jesus said, “With people [as far as it depends on them] it is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (AMP). In what areas of your life have you allowed your optimism to rule instead of your faith? When optimism is faced with giants, it flees more than it fights. As you face giants in the land of God’s promises to you, remember that it is up to God to keep His promises. A quote I’ve read that has been attributed to many people says, “Pray like it depends on God, but work like it depends on you.” Caleb and Joshua had to March around Jericho and draw swords to fight. God took care of the Great Wall around the city after their obedience. As you face your giants, ask God what is His part and what is your part. Then act on your faith, not your optimism.

Photo by Jukan Tateisi on Unsplash