by Jerry Senn
Viktor Frankl knew the reality of suffering and deprivation as a prisoner of war in World War II. His experience in Nazi German prison camps enabled him to see life at its worst. Some individuals survived the horrors of prison camp while others did not. Frankl wanted to know why. After carefully studying his fellow prisoners, Frankl concluded, “Everything can be taken from men but one thing: the last of human freedoms–to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances.”
Some are perpetual pessimists like the little boy who was preparing for a test. “I’m going to fail this test,” the boy told his dad, “because I don’t understand the material.” His dad responded, “Son, you have to be positive.” “Ok,” the boy replied, “I’m positive I’m going to fail this test!”
After all the apostle Paul had experienced because of Christ (See: Acts 16-28), some may have expected complaints like how yucky the food was and how tight was the chain around his arm or how terribly he was treated by some brethren. But, he approaches the letter to those brothers and sisters in Philippi in a shocking way:
“I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that my situation has actually turned out to advance the gospel. The whole imperial guard and everyone else knows that I am in prison for the sake of Christ, and most of the brothers and sisters, having confidence in the Lord because of my imprisonment, now more than ever dare to speak the word fearlessly” (Philippians 1:12-14, NET).
Optimism is a choice! In the most unlikely circumstances, one can still choose to be optimistic. Paul made that choice. Being under arrest in Rome with the possibility of death facing him, he chose to be optimistic because his mission to take the love of Jesus to the pagan world was happening. He wrote, “What is the result? Only that in every way … Christ is being proclaimed, and in this I rejoice” (Phil 1:18).
As it happened with Paul, optimism encourages others to be bold and courageous as he was. Let’s ask ourselves, “Am I choosing to be an optimist today?” I hope all believers will pursue this godly attitude.
[Gleanings: Brian Harbour, “Living Joyfully”]