Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5760 Human attitudes and behaviour  »  5914 optimism

The ability to face the future with confidence. For believers this is possible because of their knowledge of God.

Optimism resulting from faith

Confidence in God

Psalm 52:8; Psalm 125:1 See also Psalm 25:4-5; Psalm 56:4; Psalm 71:5; Psalm 91:2; Nahum 1:7

Confidence in what God can do

2 Corinthians 1:10-11 See also Psalm 27:1-3; Jeremiah 17:7; Micah 7:7; Hebrews 13:6; 1 John 5:14

Confidence in what God will do in the future

2 Corinthians 5:5-8 See also Acts 24:14-15; Galatians 5:5; Philippians 1:3-6

Confidence founded on God's grace

Isaiah 12:1-2 See also Ezra 10:2; 2 Corinthians 3:4-5; Ephesians 3:12; 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17; 1 John 3:21-22

Encouragements to be optimistic

John 14:1; Romans 15:13 See also Psalm 9:10; Psalm 37:3-5; Psalm 42:5; Psalm 115:9-11; John 14:27; John 16:33; Romans 12:12; 1 Timothy 6:17; Hebrews 4:15; Hebrews 10:19-23; 1 Peter 1:13; 1 John 2:28

Examples of optimism

In the OT

2 Chronicles 32:8; Proverbs 12:25; Proverbs 31:11

The apostle Peter

1 Peter 5:10

The apostle Paul

2 Corinthians 7:4 See also 1 Corinthians 1:8-9; Corinthians 4:17; 2 Corinthians 1:7; Corinthians 2:3; Corinthians 8:22; Philippians 2:22; Colossians 4:9,12-13; 2 Timothy 1:12; Phm 21

The apostle John

3Jn 3-5

Misplaced optimism

Trusting in anyone or anything other than God

Psalm 146:3 See also Judges 9:26; 1 Samuel 15:32; Job 6:20; Job 8:12-13; Proverbs 11:7; Jeremiah 7:4; Jeremiah 9:4; Jeremiah 12:6; Jeremiah 49:4,31; Ezekiel 29:16; Micah 7:5; 2 Corinthians 9:4

Presumption

Ezekiel 13:6 See also Isaiah 58:4; Jeremiah 7:9-10; Luke 18:9

See also

1035  God, faithfulness
1055  God, grace & mercy
5026  knowledge
5854  experience of God
5916  pessimism
8020  faith
8105  assurance, basis of
8214  confidence, basis of
8289  joy of church
8414  encouragement
8820  self-confidence
9613  hope as confidence