The Cynic, The Realist, or The Optimist?
I will be honest, oftentimes my view of the world at this time can border on one of cynicism.
I guess I see the glass half empty at times. There are so many different problems in our world-grief, injustice, and deceit.
Yes, it would become very easy for folks to just give up, but there’s always sunshine even when it’s raining, as the song says.
I think the main thing, is to have HOPE. For actually without HOPE, there’s no promise for a better tomorrow.
Perhaps with the HOPE, is the need for steadfastness, and patience.
We live in a quick-second society where we expect to get our answers and fulfillment in just a moment. But waiting is not an easy thing to do, now is it?
For in the waiting, one can lose heart and begin to worry or doubt.
But if we can look back on the times that we thought something just wouldn’t work out, and then right around the corner, an answer came.
Of course it’s a matter of faith isn’t it? We have to believe without actually seeing the promise fulfilled.
We want to see a hint of the development manifested for us, before we actually sign our name and believe, don’t we?
My dad used to always say, “Expect the worst, but hope for the best.” I thought he was a very pessimistic person and wondered at times, how he could live like that.
But actually perhaps it was more of a realistic viewpoint. When and if things did work out for the best, then he was happy in the end, even though he didn’t necessarily expect a bright shining outcome ahead of time.
But having hope anchored within us, even when we may waver, then at least we have something solid that can instill in us something to propel us forward.
Here is a poem I wrote several years ago, from my book of poems:
The Pessimist and the Optimist 
Published: January 1 2016
You see the worst ahead, for everything’s dark, without hope or the light.
The problems are many, and they come all the time.
Nothing can solve them, nothing can help.
The taxes are due, the money’s been spent, and there’s no room for extras, and even the rent.
You reason and fume, for there’s no solution.
Because the world is bad, especially the pollution.
But then you see him, that one that speaks just the words.
They come softly and yet happily, as they fill the air.
He says that hope faileth not, and love is divine.
The next morning everything looks fine.
But you wrestle with this thought and that thought for hours.
You’ve heard this talk before of sunshine and flowers.
How can it be that our thoughts could be so different?
Are we not just men, and men are the same?
But the glass is half empty to some, and half-filled to another.
One sees the sunshine and another the clouds.
But the world is filled with light and with dark.
We each determine which way is the right.
First published: August 7, 2023.
Selah,
~ Stephen Hanson
Stephen Hanson of In His Truth Ministries came to The LORD is a special way in 1975 and has prophesied regularly since. In these end-time birthing pangs we are reminded that judgment must first begin with the household of God. Will we be prepared and ready?
Stephen is a full-time Artist of original architectural, landscape, portrait, still-life and spiritual oil paintings, available at StephenHansonArtist.com
Thank You brother Stephen. Great poem. I would say that it can be a challenge, as we are called to renew our minds daily…☝ as it not always easy- but when we look to the Father- we know HE will always Make the Difference! This makes me think of a number of scriptures- First mainly- Proverbs 23:7- “As a man thinks in his heart- so is he”. You can truly become what you choose to think on… Also Proverbs 13:12- “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a ‘longing fulfilled is a tree of Life!” HALLELUJAH! :) Father help us to Always look to YOU when the enemy comes to try & steal our Hope & our Peace!✝️
Great post and poem. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I am at that place of being a cynic, pessimist, optimist right now…..sometime don’t know what to believe and hope for. I’m holding on to my faith though. I believe the Lord had you write/share this post for me and many others! God bless you
As I read on, Stephen, I heard what the Lord continually says to me, “Children learn what they live.” and as I read Geoff Pick’s warning, I realized the Lord is cautioning us to get beyond our ‘familiar’ viewpoint of what we think we hear and see. Selah, bless your day. Sandi Holman
Well said brother Steve, and the poem was ‘on point’ and the message ‘enlightening” I think of the scripture: Hope deferred makes the heart sick! :)
so true