Is it bad to have a rosy worldview?

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I’ve been accused of having a “rose-colored” view of the world. This means that I ignore the ugliness and only focus on what’s good. I don’t want to become cynical because I think that’s not what God wants us to be. He wants us to be filled with joy because He saved us. But there are times when I wonder if my worldview is a bad thing. There is a saying that reinforces my worldview:
“Shoot for Heaven. Even if you miss, you’ll land amongst the stars.”
 
I voted no because it is to be encouraged to find the good in the world. Having said that, we need to recognize what is bad in the world and work towards making the good that is in the world even better. It’s the call of the Catholic vocation.
 
I wouldn’t say it is a good thing to ‘‘ignore the ugliness’’, rather it is better to work to change it.
 
I know a good priest who often describes himself as a “hope-filled pessimist”. As Christians, we are all called to be hope-filled people and not despair. This is different from being an optimist. Too often, I think people confuse the two and assume that all Christians must be optimists. That is not the case. Of course, I don’t think that means we all have to be pessimists, either! With all the good and bad, we place our hope in God.

I think you are right to try to avoid cynicism. Many people (mistakenly) equate cynicism with intelligence, as though they naturally go hand-in-hand. They think only unintelligent people are optimists. Don’t listen to those people! There’s nothing wrong with looking for the good. But we do need to keep a balance. We don’t want to focus so much on looking for the good that we never notice the bad. This can lead to an inability to recognize sin. When it comes to situations where people (or even ourselves) are living in objectively sinful situations (homosexuality, co-habitation, etc.) our focus on the good can lead us to ignore the sin, which only bolsters people into believing more firmly that there is no sin. That’s when our rose-colored view can go too far.

Of course, I definitely would not advocate being mean-spirited to other people or ignoring the good. We are all sinners, though. That’s the reality. And it isn’t pretty. But there is good, too. And that is beautiful.

Confused, yet? 😉

Basically, we need a good balance. We don’t want to focus so much on the good that we forget there is such a thing as sin and evil. But we don’t want to focus so much on the bad that we forget that people aren’t totally depraved.
 
I find the question a rather humorous contradiction because it is asked in the negative. 🙂
 
I’ve been a professional skeptic most of my adult life. I keep hoping they’ll get it right, or at least close, but they never do.
I begin each job with hope. Which St. Paul tells us does not disappoint. Rom 5:5.

Matthew
 
The world has so much beauty–and a lot of sadness, poverty, depression, wars, violence, etc…

I see myself as a realist, because really, the world can be both things–beautiful and ugly at the same time. I think if I look at the world as it ‘should be’ this way or that, then I might end up quite disappointed…because it simply isn’t one way or the other. It’s a blend of good and bad. When Jesus comes again, life will be the way God created it…and there will be only beauty and peace. I agree with the poster who said the comment about the Catholic vocation–my thoughts exactly.🙂
 
I think a rosy world-view is fine, as long as one is not naive about the bad in the world.
 
I don’t think there is anything wrong with being a bit of a “Pollyanna.” As long as you don’t come around anywhere near me before my first pot of coffee . . . 😉
 
1 John.2

15] Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
[16] For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Eph.6

[12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
[13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

John.2

25] He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

John.17

8] For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
[9] I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
[10] And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
[11] And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
[12] While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
[13] And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
[14] I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
[15] I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
[16] They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
[17] Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
[18] As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
[19] And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
 
Matt.4

[8] Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
[9] And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
[10] Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
[11] Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
 
LambOfGod

you’re misapplying Scripture, in the context of the question being asked.

Having a joyful positive attitude has much to do with having Christ in your heart.

The Scripture talks about living and loving according to the world and flesh, not according to the way Jesus taught.

If you have salvation in Jesus Christ, how can you be anything but filled with joy?

Jim
 
JimR-OCDS said:
The Scripture talks about living and loving according to the world and flesh, not according to the way Jesus taught.

Jim
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Scripture teaches about living and loving according to the Spirit, not according to the world and flesh … according to Jesus, the way He taught. Scripture teaches to be good and obey masters of this world, to do it in fear, fear of God.

Gal.6

[8] For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Gal.5

[17] For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
[18] But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
[19] Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
[20] Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
[21] Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
[23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
[24] And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
[25] If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Jas.4

[4] Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Sorry, I see nothing rosy about this world … except God’s creation of nature and churches … curruption is everywhere, even in church’s and munipulation of God’s creation of nature.

Sorry I see nothing rosy about this world, I obey my masters of this world with meekness and peace and do good to others, but they scorn and laugh when the words of Christ are mentioned.

My joy is only in Christ and His teachings, not them or the things of this world or the flesh and corruption thereof . I hate myself because I still see worldly impressions upon me and if I were to die today I would not be in heaven tommorrow, but in pugatory.

Sorry I have no rosy view of this world.

1 John.2

15] Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
[16] For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
[17] And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
 
LambOfGod said:
Scripture teaches about living and loving according to the Spirit, not according to the world and flesh … according to Jesus, the way He taught. Scripture teaches to be good and obey masters of this world, to do it in fear, fear of God.

Gal.6

[8] For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Gal.5

[17] For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
[18] But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
[19] Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
[20] Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
[21] Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
[23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
[24] And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
[25] If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Jas.4

[4] Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Sorry, I see nothing rosy about this world … except God’s creation of nature and churches … curruption is everywhere, even in church’s and munipulation of God’s creation of nature.

Sorry I see nothing rosy about this world, I obey my masters of this world with meekness and peace and do good to others, but they scorn and laugh when the words of Christ are mentioned.

My joy is only in Christ and His teachings, not them or the things of this world or the flesh and corruption thereof . I hate myself because I still see worldly impressions upon me and if I were to die today I would not be in heaven tommorrow, but in pugatory.

Sorry I have no rosy view of this world.

1 John.2

15] Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
[16] For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
[17] And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
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So this is your argument for having a gloomy outlook and being depressed?
 
rocklobster said:
I’ve been accused of having a “rose-colored” view of the world. This means that I ignore the ugliness and only focus on what’s good. I don’t want to become cynical because I think that’s not what God wants us to be. He wants us to be filled with joy because He saved us. But there are times when I wonder if my worldview is a bad thing. There is a saying that reinforces my worldview:
“Shoot for Heaven. Even if you miss, you’ll land amongst the stars.”
Click to expand...
I said YES. Consider what John Paul II said,

“We are now standing in the face of the greatest historical confrontation humanity has gone through. I do not think that wide circles of the American society or wide circles of the Christian community realize this fully. We are now facing the final confrontation between the church and the anti-Church, of the Gospel versus the anti-Gospel.” John Paul II

And where we are…

Sexual
Separation of sex from procreation
Unwed mothers = Normal
Breakdown of sex in the context of Marriage
Divorce rate skyrockets
Families as mother/father/children = old fashioned and traditional
Children blamed for ecological problems/poverty
Abortion rampant, including infanticide(partial birth)
Pornography Rampant
Gay Marriage OK
Gay adoption
Sex Change for children(is actually advocated)
Advocating Traditional family with a man and woman as mother/father = “Hate-crime”
Homosexuality: Promoted in public school curriculum

**Technological **
Cloning
embryonic stem cells
Chimeras OK in UK
IVF no Fathers needed

International
Terrorism: blamed on America
Iran’s ongoing successful development of Nuclear weapons, with Israels destruction openly advocated
European Union = Denial of Christian foundation of Europe
European population declining, Muslim immigration set to take over majority of European population

I know in the end Good will triumph over evil—but many are suffering due to sin.
 
rpp said:
So this is your argument for having a gloomy outlook and being depressed?
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John.14

[21] He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

23] Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

4 Ezra.2

[33] I Esdras received a charge of the Lord upon the mount Oreb, that I should go unto Israel; but when I came unto them, they set me at nought, and despised the commandment of the Lord.
[34] And therefore I say unto you, O ye heathen, that hear and understand, look for your Shepherd, he shall give you everlasting rest; for he is nigh at hand, that shall come in the end of the world.
[35] Be ready to the reward of the kingdom, for the everlasting light shall shine upon you for evermore.
[36] Flee the shadow of this world, receive the joyfulness of your glory: I testify my Saviour openly.
[37] O receive the gift that is given you, and be glad, giving thanks unto him that hath led you to the heavenly kingdom.
[38] Arise up and stand, behold the number of those that be sealed in the feast of the Lord;
[39] Which are departed from the shadow of the world, and have received glorious garments of the Lord.
 
Again you’re confusing Scripture to what is being asked by the OP. The OP isn’t asking about being of the world without Christ, but living in the world as a Christian.

Being in Christ is joy, not gloom. Being in Christ is living according to the Holy Spirit, not according to the world.

If you claim to be a Christian, but have no joy and peace, you probably have religion, but not faith in Christ.

I remember what I was like before Christ came into my life. I was in fact miserable.

Since he’s come into my life, I’ve had joy beyond words. Even in the hard times, Christ was always there to keep me from despair.

I don’t know how a person who claims to be a Christian, can live in despair and doom and gloom?

Jim
 
JimR-OCDS said:
Again you’re confusing Scripture to what is being asked by the OP. The OP isn’t asking about being of the world without Christ, but living in the world as a Christian.

Being in Christ is joy, not gloom. Being in Christ is living according to the Holy Spirit, not according to the world.

If you claim to be a Christian, but have no joy and peace, you probably have religion, but not faith in Christ.

I remember what I was like before Christ came into my life. I was in fact miserable.

Since he’s come into my life, I’ve had joy beyond words. Even in the hard times, Christ was always there to keep me from despair.

I** don’t know how a person who claims to be a Christian, can live in despair and doom and gloom?**
Jim
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You are right. I think in my case, as a realist, I can separate the macro from the micro. On a micro level, in my own subjective , everyday life Im very happy and filled with hope----But on the macro, with regard to the world around me, the culture etc. Im very concerned. I never despair though—No matter how bad it gets we have promises from our Lord of his mercy and justice.
 
JimR-OCDS said:
Again you’re confusing Scripture to what is being asked by the OP. The OP isn’t asking about being of the world without Christ, but living in the world as a Christian.

Being in Christ is joy, not gloom. Being in Christ is living according to the Holy Spirit, not according to the world.

If you claim to be a Christian, but have no joy and peace, you probably have religion, but not faith in Christ.

I remember what I was like before Christ came into my life. I was in fact miserable.

Since he’s come into my life, I’ve had joy beyond words. Even in the hard times, Christ was always there to keep me from despair.

I don’t know how a person who claims to be a Christian, can live in despair and doom and gloom?

Jim
Click to expand...
I have already said my joy and peace is with Christ and Christ only … I said, I hate myself because I know I am not spottless, I still have impressions of the world in me … In my speech, in my mind and In my attitude, and if I were to die today I would not be in heaven tomorrow … so why should I be happy with myself?

Until I become like the saints, I shall not be happy with myself.

2 Cor.7 [10] For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

John.12
25] He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

The question is it bad to have a rosy world view. … I see nothing rosy about this world and neither did Jesus.

John.7 [7] The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.

His words are my words … this world is evil there is nothing rosy about it, my joy is in Christ and Christ only.

Doom and Gloom as you have made me out to be … is not me, it is the world … a very deceitful world full of snares and traps hiding behind smiling faces … full of lies and corruption in institutes and governments all around the globe … false preachers flood the world like never before,check yout tv …aids and hurpies and all kinds of other sores lingering in the air. Pornos at your finger tips, gays and gay bars and gay clubs coming out of the wood work. This world is shaking and breaking with thousands of thousands droping like flies, suffering beyond limits … tornadoes and visious winds ripping through the earth casting houses down one by one, ripping the wheat fields apart. Goverments spend billions on war and millions on stupid politics and turn a blind eye on the poor … They speak big words and big hopes but there are none because they speak truth mixed with lies.

Predators on every corner in every big city … on the internet chatting with children, sick perverted people walking the streets because crooked judges let them free. What joy? whats there to be joyful about this world. Satan is loose, if there was really true christianity in this world as millions or billions claim to be there would be peace … but there is no peace. And very few christians pick up their crosses and speak out against these things … their happy and comfortable in their nice homes with their hd tv’s and 2 or 3 cars, yeah, I’m christian, I’m filled with joy, Ibelieve in Jesus. And the few that do speak out, are shut down and cut off.

NO, I am not filled with joy when I see and hear these things everyday and will never have a rosy view of this world until the day Christ comes and satan is put in his place.

1 Cor.15 [19] If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable

Did you know St Faustina use to say she was miserable?
 
LambOfGod
I have already said my joy and peace is with Christ and Christ only … I said, I hate myself because I know I am not spottless, I still have impressions of the world in me … In my speech, in my mind and In my attitude, and if I were to die today I would not be in heaven tomorrow … so why should I be happy with myself?
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This is not only spiritually dangerous, but to hate yourself, can be sinful. You are hating what God loves. No were in Scripture does God tell us to hate ourselves. In fact, the message constantly taught is that God loves us unconditionally. This in itself, should bring us joy. Those who hate themselves, really don’t know Jesus Christ. For to hate yourself is to mock what He did for you, in suffering and dying on the cross. “God so loved the world, that he gave His only Son.”

Also, you are seeing yourself as unworthy of God’s love. God loves us irrespective of our worth for Him, it isn’t an issue.

Often, people who get hung up on their unworthiness, become bitter in their religious practice. They not only see themselves as unworthy, but the see others as even less worthy. They try to compensate by practicing religion fanatically, and thereby distort its true function, and that is, bringing us closer to God, through love, not self flagellation.

“God can not be grasped, except through love.” Author of the Cloud of Unknowing.

Focusing on your sinfulness will not bring you closer to God. In fact, you’ll end up sinning all the more.

Jim
 
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