Hope and Optimism

Hope and optimism are easily confused, but they are not the same thing. Part of the confusion is we don’t comprehend the meaning or nature of hope, in which case optimism looks more attractive. Hope is often understood as a wish that something either does or does not happen (I hope it doesn’t rain today, I hope she calls me), whereas optimism is more appealing, more … optimistic. People relying on this kind of hope are less positive because they are only thinking in terms of vague possibilities/wishes, whereas those given to optimism confess a brighter outlook, or so it would seem. 

If we can define both, we may come to view hope as significantly better. Optimism extrapolates from here and now, looks forward, and paints a better picture of the future, a future that sees us coming out on top in life’s circumstances. We win. It is certainly an upgrade on pessimism; a way of seeing that is as gloomy as London in winter.  

Hope, if reckoned biblically, is secured by something richer, deeper, and wider than the fragility of human optimism, the ostrich’s head in the sand. It is based on the unchanging nature and promises of God. 

However, real hope isn’t always optimistic in the short term. On the contrary, God’s word may not always promise a better tomorrow, but it certainly does for the long game. Hope endures, whereas optimism has the tendency to fade in the light of harsher realities. 

The prophet Jeremiah wept through his ministry, as the optimists of his day said it was ‘all good,’ God would defend them from their enemies, and all would be well. Keep your chin up. But Jeremiah was correct; the people were taken to exile, and Jerusalem, their pride and security, was destroyed. Nothing optimistic here. Jeremiah, however, spoke of a day when God would restore and bless his people in ways beyond their imagination. He gave them hope, even though they were currently being judged for their long-term unfaithfulness to God’s covenant with them. 

One of the greatest of the prophets, Isaiah, spoke in remarkable terms of a new heaven and earth, of restoration, of the coming Davidic King, and the suffering servant.  His message was spoken while the people were in exile, captivity, and ruin. He gave them hope, such that no optimism can present.

John, the apostle, author of the book of Revelation, saw with prophetic insight the endgame, being the triumph of the Lamb over the Dragon, a new heaven and earth inaugurated by the victory of God in Christ, and the abolition of all harm, even death itself. But the journey there was not always easy for God’s people; sacrifice and martyrdom weren’t uncommon. But God’s promises caused and continue to cause a wellspring of hope to rise in his people.  

Hope is a tether to our future; it sees God’s promises for his people. Optimism is believing (not saving belief, to be clear) that tomorrow will be bigger, brighter, better, bolder than today. But what if it isn’t? What then? Optimism will not be enough. In this case, the optimist is the most hopeless of all people, because all he has is his optimism.

Hope goes the distance; it gives courage, strength, and … hope.