Introduction
Christian optimism is not mere sentimentalism or an unrealistic view of the world; it is a response to God’s call to holiness in all circumstances, grounded in a confident trust that God’s grace is sufficient and that He works in and through us despite our weaknesses.
Christian optimism is a hopeful, joyful, and enthusiastic approach to life that stems from a deep trust in God’s providence and a firm belief in the possibility of holiness in every aspect of daily existence. We should face life’s challenges with a positive attitude, rooted in faith, hope, and love.
Faith in God’s Love and Providence
We need to foster a firm belief in God’s love and providence, learning to see everything that happens in in our life as ultimately under the loving care of God. This understanding of divine providence helps us adopt an optimistic attitude because, in every situation, we trust that God is guiding us, and that His plans are always for our good.
St. Josemaría often said, “God does not ask us to do the impossible, only what is within our power.” God never abandons His children, and even in the midst of struggles and difficulties, we can have hope because we know that God is always present, working for our benefit.
So we should remain calm and joyful, no matter the circumstances, because God is in control. For instance, in The Way, St Josemaria wrote: “The Father loves you, and he is in charge. Therefore, hope!”
Optimism Rooted in the Belief in Human Dignity and Potential
Every person, regardless of their station in life, has the ability to become a saint. Christian optimism is grounded in the conviction that every person is called to holiness, regardless of their occupation or social position. Work, family life, relationships, and all human activities can be sanctified if they are done with love for God and others. Ordinary life is the path to sanctity.
True Christian optimism comes from realizing that we are all children of God and have the potential to become saints. St Josemaria writes, “Don’t settle for anything less than sanctity. That is the meaning of your life: to make it holy.”
This view is rooted in his belief that every human being, created in the image and likeness of God, is capable of great things through cooperation with God’s grace. We need to reject despair, defeatism, or self-pity, and believe in our potential to rise above difficulties and to be a force for good in the world.
Joy as a Mark of Christian Life
Joy is a natural expression of a soul in union with God. True Christian joy is not dependent on external circumstances but comes from the inner peace of knowing that God is with us, that our lives have meaning, and that the ultimate end of our existence is eternal happiness with God in heaven.
St Paul says “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil 4:4), encouraging Christians to maintain a joyful attitude in all situations, even in times of trial and suffering. Joy is a sign of trust in God’s plan, a recognition that God is good, and a celebration of His presence in everyday life.
Christian joy is a gift that comes from the Holy Spirit. As St Josemaria wrote in The Way: “When your heart is filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, you can’t help but smile at the circumstances and people around you. Even difficulties and sufferings will not cloud your joy, because you know that God is always at your side.”
Optimism Amidst Challenges and Suffering
Christian optimism doesn’t ignore the reality of suffering or hardship. Instead, it sees challenges and difficulties through the lens of faith and hope. In this perspective, suffering can be transformed into something redemptive, something that can lead a person closer to God.
The key to Christian optimism in the face of suffering is to embrace the cross with love, just as Jesus did. Suffering, when united with Christ’s own suffering on the cross, can become a means of spiritual growth. This does not mean that suffering is easy or to be sought out, but it does mean that we can face hardship with the hope that God will bring good out of it, both for our own sanctification and for the world.
We read in The Way: “When life is hard, don’t be discouraged; take courage from God. He is always near. If you have faith, you will see how good things will come from difficult moments. Hope, and trust.”
This attitude allows us to remain optimistic even in the face of trials. We are confident that God’s grace will help us bear our burdens and that suffering is temporary compared to the eternal joy that awaits us in heaven.
Trust in the Power of Prayer
Christian optimism is nourished by prayer and a close relationship with God. Prayer helps us grow in trust and confidence in God’s love and providence, making it easier to approach life with optimism. Prayer, especially the daily practice of mental prayer, helps us maintain perspective and spiritual resilience in the face of challenges.
In our prayer we should seek God’s guidance in all aspects of life. Through prayer, we experience the peace that surpasses understanding (Phil 4:7) and the joy that comes from a heart attuned to God’s will.
Optimism in the Face of the World’s Problems
We are not naïve. We know that the world is full of problems, including injustice, poverty, and sin. However, we are called to bring light and hope into the darkness. Rather than being discouraged or defeated by the challenges of the world, we should act with confidence, using the tools of prayer, work, and sacrifice to bring about change.
In the face of a world filled with materialism and secularism, we should act as instruments of God’s love—transforming society through our witness of faith, hope, and charity. Our ordinary, daily work, done with a supernatural outlook and sanctified by prayer and the pursuit of holiness, can be a powerful force for good. St. Josemaria said: “Don’t be afraid of anything. You are not alone; you have God on your side. Be joyful and optimistic, and the world will be better for it.”
The Call to Be Christian Optimists
Christian optimism is a deep, trusting, joyful, and hopeful approach to life that flows from the knowledge of God’s love and the belief in His providence. It is not a naive or superficial optimism, but one that is rooted in faith, grounded in the reality of God’s presence in our lives, and oriented toward eternal salvation. Christian optimism is characterized by a positive attitude toward both the challenges and joys of life, a deep joy in God’s goodness, and a commitment to transforming the world through prayer, work, and love.
Optimism is an essential virtue for Christians. It is the expression of a heart that trusts in God’s promises, faces difficulties with courage, and finds joy in the knowledge that God is in control. We need to cultivate this optimism and to face the world with hope, knowing that through God’s grace, we can live lives of holiness, joy, and transformative love.
Article by Anthony Schratz
Photo by Shamma Shafyg on Unsplash
