The Characteristics of Having a Dynamically Optimistic Life

August 16, 2026

Scripture: I Samuel 17:31-51

Last week I noted that dynamic Optimism speaks of faith, trust, and hope in Almighty God. It is a belief that the best is yet to come because Jesus has conquered sin and death. He has given us victory over this sick, sinful, death-stinking, Satan influenced world.

We noted the characteristics of one’s life when dynamic optimism is absent. When one is pessimistic/lacks dynamic optimism there is often fear and the expectation of a negative outcome. When there is an absence of dynamic optimism, a person loses his/her passion and joy for life. A person who lacks dynamic optimism also is one who often has doubts and is blown and tossed by the wind. There is an internal restlessness as one lacks confident trust in God and allows circumstances or their emotions to influence and even control them. Fourthly, having a pessimistic attitude/a lack of dynamic optimism will prompt you to hurt others, even loved ones. The absence of dynamic optimism will also prompt one to give up or settle for mediocrity. You will develop a pattern of giving up in the face of obstacles, opposition, pressure, threat, or challenge. Lastly, a pessimistic/a lack of dynamic optimism can harm your physical health!

Now if a person is going to live a dynamically optimistic life, one’s life will change. This morning, I want to identify 10 characteristics of living a dynamically optimistic life.

First, one who has dynamic optimism knows and is empowered by the Spirit of the Lord! One has the heart to do God’s will.

In the Old Testament, the Spirit of the Lord would empower leaders, prophets, and judges to fulfill God’s purposes. For example, Judges 3:9, 10 states, But when they cried out to the Lord, he raised up for them a deliverer, Othniel…who saved them. 10 The Spirit of the Lord came on him, so that he became Israel’s judge.

Judges 6:34 states, Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Gideon. God used him to deliver Israel.

Another example is noted in I Samuel 16. The prophet, Samuel, anointed David who ultimately would be the king. We learn in I Samuel 16 that Samuel went to Jesse’s home to anoint one of his eight sons as the new king. Samuel thought the oldest son was the one, but verse seven states, But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Jesse’s youngest son, David, was brought to Samuel. The Lord revealed to Samuel that this was the one. David had a heart for the Lord. (Note Acts 13:22). David had a heart after God which means he genuinely wanted to do God’s will and sought His guidance.

I Samuel 16:13 then states, So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David.

The Spirit would empower various people at various times. In the New Testament, Jesus was born and was full of the Holy Spirit (Luke 2:35; 4:1). He fulfilled the messianic prophecy of Isaiah 61 as the Spirit of the Lord was on Him (Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18-20).

Jesus also promised the Spirit to His followers: And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth (John 14:16-17).

In Acts 1, Jesus told his disciples not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4, 5).

Then in Acts 2, the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples. Peter got up to preach about Jesus, and some three thousand people came to believe and received the gift of the Holy Spirit. Peter states in Acts 2:38, 39, Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call. People were born again by the power of God’s Holy Spirit (Note John 3:1-21).

If you read further in the book of Acts, the Holy Spirit moved among the early church in a powerful way. Over the centuries, renewal and revivals have occurred because of the Holy Spirit convicting, comforting, and filling people. Oh, how we need the Spirit to work today!

Now, Scripture notes that the Spirit of the Lord represents God’s presence, power, and guidance! The Holy Spirit empowers individuals for service and ministry. The Spirit is also associated with wisdom and knowledge!

I John 3:24 says, The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

Galatians 5:16 notes, So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Then as one walks in the Spirit, one produces fruit including love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

If we are going to have dynamic optimism, then you and I need to be born again of the Spirt and walk in the Spirit. I encourage you to ask/pray for His Spirit. More on this next week.

Secondly, one who has dynamic optimism has a passion to defend, to honor, the LORD!

In I Samuel 17:26b David asked, Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

Then in I Samuel 17:45-47 states, David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

Since David had a heart after God, he felt the grief, the anger of God concerning this giant’s mocking of the LORD! I also think that David was taking Deuteronomy 5:11 to heart which states, You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

Jesus had a righteous anger as he cleansed the temple because the religious leaders had made the temple a den of thieves instead of a house of prayer (Matthew 21:12, 13). (Also note story of Elijah-I Kings 18:16-46).

Now, Scripture calls believers to live in a way worthy of the Gospel, to speak the truth in love. One of my life goals is from II Corinthians 10:5, We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. Another passage that I have taken to heart is from II Timothy 2:24-26. Verse 24 states, And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.

Thirdly, a dynamically optimistic person has courage to face the challenges in one’s life.

After Goliath made his little speech… I Samuel 17:11, 24, On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified….24 Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear.

However, when David heard Goliath, he was not dismayed or terrified. When David heard the negative voices of his family members, he did not listen to them. When Saul told him he was too young, David did not let him look down on his youth (I Samuel 17:23-33).

We read in I Samuel 17:34-37, But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it, and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it, and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”

Even though he had never fought in battle, David used his previous experiences as a shepherd as preparation. From those experiences he grew in confidence and faith. And since David had experienced the Lord rescuing him in the past, he had the courage to go out and face Goliath.

Historian Mark Brimsley tells about Civil War leader, Stonewall Jackson’s courage. He writes that Jackson’s apparent obliviousness to danger attracted notice. He was asked how he managed it. Jackson replied, “My religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. Jackson explained, God knows the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter where it may overtake me. He added that is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave.

We each have our Goliaths in our lives—maybe it is fear, depression, bitterness, guilt, a broken relationship, an illness, alcohol, drugs, pornography, or something else. If you have dynamic optimism, you will have the courage to step up for the challenge.

1. A dynamically optimistic person also has joy and peace!

David wrote in Psalm 16:11, You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

A person with dynamic optimism rejoices in God’s presence and faithfulness, even in hardship. They focus on the positive aspects of life and circumstances, recognizing that everything can be used to draw them closer to God (Proverbs 15:19; Acts 13:52).

The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Paul writes in Philippians 4 that we are to Rejoice in the Lord always. Remember Paul was in prison. Yet, he rejoiced! (Note Philippians 1:3, 12, 18, 19.) He notes in chapter 4 that he had learned contentment in all circumstances. Paul had a joy, a peace because he walked with God as he stood firm in the faith.

This past week I came across this statement by Billy Graham. Optimism and cheerfulness are products of knowing Christ. If the heart has been attuned to God through faith in Christ, then its overflow will be joyous optimism and good cheer. You will never be free from discouragement and despondency until you have been tuned to God. Christ is the wellspring of happiness. He is the fountainhead of joy.

One verse, as you know, that I have taken to heart for the past three and ½ years is James 1:2—which says? Consider it pure joy, my brothers, and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds. Then James tells us why we can have joy in verses 3 and 4.

This leads me to the fifth characteristic. A dynamically optimistic person perseveres even when it is hard. As a result, they are more likely to be successful.

James 1:3, 4 states, Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 

Hebrews 12:1-3 states the critical reason why a dynamic optimist person perseveres. One fixes their eyes on Jesus! Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

As a result of fixing their eyes on what Jesus did, the dynamically optimistic person is more apt to succeed. This person has a faith, a personal confidence that he/she can do all things with God as his/her strength. The person can tackle new challenges with assurance.

Dynamic optimists not only believe things will improve, but they will adopt effective ways or practices to be successful. They display a deep and pervasive creative openness to possibilities. They challenge unquestioned, traditional beliefs. Dynamic optimists will be willing to try fresh approaches where they appear advantages. David was innovative in his approach to fighting Goliath. Instead of fighting Goliath with all the armor on, he used a sling shot (I Samuel 17:38-40). As a result of his innovative approach, he succeeded.

The dynamic optimist perseveres until they find a way to be successful. There seems to be 101 ways one is told to lose weight. I tried various ones over the decades. It was not until I produced my own plan that I was successful.

William Carey, the great missionary had perseverance. He could only get a job as a shoemaker. He married a woman who had a mental illness. He wanted to be a missionary, but he was told that he was unfit. His response was as he stuttered, “B-b-but I c-c-can p-p-plod.” He studied the Bible and learned various languages. He got a license to preach. He then helped establish the Baptist Missionary Society. He raised a little money to go to India in 1793. Carey worked seven years before his first convert. His son died at age 5 and then his wife. Later his second wife died. But he continued to plod. Carey translated the Bible into thirty-four languages, founded India’s first college, established forty-five teaching centers, alleviated famine by teaching new agricultural methods and worked to free Indian woman from the cruelest sorts of bondage. Today, William Carey is considered the Father of Modern Missions. Why? Because he persevered!

1. A dynamically optimistic person shares words that are positive not negative.

I Samuel 17:32, David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.”

When this spirit of dynamic optimism is present, it breathes hope into people around them.

One encourages others. A major theme of the New Testament is to be positive when you talk. Why? Because it's expecting the best and that is a demonstration of faith! Ephesians 4:29 notes, "Don't use harmful words in talking. Use only helpful words. The kind that builds up." 

1. A dynamically optimistic tends to be lighthearted and humorous.

Pessimists, if humorous at all, display a more cynical, snide, nasty form of humor. The dynamic optimist applies Proverbs 17:22, A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. One also applies Proverbs 15:15, All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.

Dynamic optimists will tend to see more humor in everyday events. Since they are secure in Christ, one can even make fun of one’s own shortcomings. They have discovered that humor is an antidote for anxiety and depression. It attracts and keeps friends. It lightens human burdens. This person is just fun to be around.

A newspaper photographer had just taken a picture of an old man on his ninety-eighth birthday. He thanked the old gentleman saying, “I hope I’ll be around to take your picture when you’re one hundred.” The old man replied, “Why not? You look healthy to me.”

1. A dynamically optimistic person can effectively and efficiently process the ripples and waves on the pond of life. Since a dynamic optimist has made the decision to look for the positive and be thankful in all situations, he/she will find hope when others give up.

When the ripples or the waves of life come, when God feels so far away, then they pray, lament, ask for help, process feelings, and turn over whatever issue to the Lord.

In Psalm 13, David trusts in the Lord when his enemies seem to be triumphing over him. David writes, 1 How long, Lord? How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? 3 Look on me and answer, Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,4 and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall.5 But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. 6 I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.

Things didn’t always go easy for David. Yet, he processed his feelings. He did not put his faith in his feelings, but in the Lord! His dynamic optimism helped him to continue to trust and obey.

1. A dynamically optimistic person loves to worship the Lord!

David wrote seventy-five of the 150 psalms. David loved to worship and encouraged others to worship.

Scripture repeatedly calls us to worship the Lord! Psalm 100 states, Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. 3 Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. 5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Jesus said in John 4:23, 24, True worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

Artificial intelligence notes four benefits of worship.

Worship deepens our relationship with God. It draws us closer to Him.

Worship prompts gratitude and joy.

Worship transforms our character!

Worship also strengthens our faith: Praise and prayer in worship anchor us in hope, especially in difficult times. 

I enjoy worshipping the Lord as I drive. I put on a worship CD and sing along. It is a joy and I sense God’s Holy Spirit comforting, encouraging, and helping me to relieve the stress of people!

Lastly, one who has dynamic optimism sets their minds on heavenly things. One holds and takes to heart God’s promises!

Living in this sick, sinful, death-stinking, Satan influenced world prompts us to be pessimistic. Pessimism thrives when our mind dwells on the negative. However, God’s Word gives us many positive promises to fix our thoughts on instead.

For instance, the Bible tells us to set our minds on things above. Colossians 3:1, 2 states, Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

If we focus on our secure heavenly home with eternal treasures, our attitude and perspective shifts! Keeping eternity in view shrinks current troubles. One thing that you heard me say in dealing with my heart issues is putting on the perspective, To live is Christ, to die is gain (Philippians 1:21).

We can take to heart God is with us always. Deuteronomy 31:9 states, Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

In Matthew 28:20b Jesus said, And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Another example is Romans 8:28, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. As one takes this to heart, one sees every trial as part of God’s plan, trusting that He will bring good out of evil. Take to heart: God is good, all the time!

So, the more we meditate on the promises of God, the more our pessimistic outlook will change into one greater faith and hope.

How about you? Do you display the characteristics of dynamic optimism? Will you make the decision or renew your decision to live a dynamically optimistic life? Will you take that step today?

One of the great statements about dynamic optimism is Psalm 23. Let’s join together.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd,
I will not be in need.
2 He lets me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For the sake of His name.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
6 Certainly goodness and faithfulness will follow me all the days of my life,
And my dwelling will be in the house of the Lord forever!!!! (NASB)