Recent studies performed by UCLA and the Mayo Clinic revealed that optimists are not only happier, but they are healthier. They get sick less frequently. They recover more quickly from surgery and injury. We’ve all met people who immediately consider the worst case scenario—maybe we fall into this category. Pessimism, if not checked, can become pathological. It’s destructive to the negative thinker—and it can rob innocent bystanders of their joy. Pessimists feel as if nothing will go well for them. They may want to protect themselves from disappointment, just in case things don’t live up to expectations (and they probably won’t). God, through Scripture, gives us so many reasons to have hope. He loves us unconditionally. He promises to guide and comfort us when we seek Him. He guarantees to give us wisdom when we but ask.
Those are big-picture ideas. But how do we get from “half empty” to “half full?” Start by noticing and being thankful for the small things: your health, the fact that you have food, live in a warm house, can get a good cup of Java on nearly every street corner. Practice taking that same thankful attitude to larger situations and work at steering clear of negativity. You will be happier, healthier and you may even live longer.
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