The Benefits of Being Pessimistic

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The Benefits of Being Pessimistic
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Two Ways of Looking at Life
Pessimistically
Half Empty
Optimistically
Half Full
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1. Websters Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
   PessimismA disposition to take the least
   hopeful view of things.
2. Word Net 2.0Pessimism(a) the feeling that
   things will turn out badly (ant optimism)
   (b) a general disposition to look on the dark
   side and to expect the worst of all things (ant
   optimism)

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• (1) Kills joy (Philippians 44)
• Produces fear and anxiety
  (Hebrews 136 Matthew 625-33 Matthew 2525)

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• (2) Weakens faith (Matthew 825-27)
• Pessimism results from lack of faith.
• Pessimism is born of doubt
  optimism is born of faith.
• Pessimism produces more doubts and results in
  disobedience.

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• (3) Yields constant discouragement
  (Hebrews 123,5)
• The pessimist feels helpless (Numbers 1328-33).
  We are not able

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• (4) Stops progress (Matthew 1321)
• Prevents one from achieving (Matthew 2525
  Numbers 1331 Numbers 1423,24).

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The Benefits of Optimism

• Strengthens faith (Matthew 77).
• Optimism is a result of faith (Romans
  419,20).
• It produces more faith and results in obedience
  (James 221-24).

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The Benefits of Optimism

• Yields encouragement (Romans 831-39)
• The Optimist feels unstoppable (Numbers
  1330 1 Samuel 1726, 32-37).

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The Benefits of Optimism

• Quickens joy (Romans 52)
• Producing comfort and contentment (Matthew 512
  Acts 541)

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The Benefits of Optimism

• Enables progress (Philippians 413)
• We can grow (2 Peter 15-10).
• We can overcome (Romans 831, 37-39 1
  Corinthians 1013).
• We can do Gods work (Psalm 271-3 1186
  Colossians 123).

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CONCLUSION
We must be realists!

• (John 832)
• What is real? (John 1717)
• How do I relate to that which is real?
  (Romans 25-11)

• Adversity (2 Timothy 312)
• Faith (Hebrews 135)
• Consequences (2 Corinthians 416-18)

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Philippians 413 I can do all things
through Christ who strengthens me. Isaiah 4110
Fear not, for I am with you Be not
dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen
you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you
with My righteous right hand.
Do We Truly Believe It?