How to Daily Have Dynamic Optimism

Part One

August 23, 2026

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-3, 6

One day two little boys were playing, and one asked the other, “Wouldn’t you hate to wear glasses all the time?”  The other little boy responded, “No, not if I had the kind Grandma wears. She sees how to fix a lot of things, and she sees lot of nice things to do on rainy days, and she see when folks are tired and sorry, and what will make them feel better, and she always sees what you meant to do even if you haven’t gotten things just right. I asked her one day how she could see that way all the time, and she said it was the way she had learned to look at things as she grew older. So, it must be her glasses.  

Seeing things properly, having dynamic optimism, is not just having eyeglasses. Dealing with the absence of dynamic optimism and daily having the characteristics of dynamic optimism is going to take a desire, a commitment of the will/heart, and a willingness to grow/to learn and apply.  

Now, over the last couple of weeks, I have noted that Dynamic Optimism speaks of faith, trust and hope.  It is the confident expectation that an all-powerful God is at work. There is joy and peace. You speak words that are positive, not negative. You can process the trials of life. You love to worship the Lord and set your mind on things above. 

However, if dynamic optimism is absent, then you will begin to lose your passion, your joy for life, the circumstances of life blow you this way or that way. Negativity will fill your heart and your mind. You will settle for mediocrity or just give up. Life in this sick, sinful, death stinking, Satan influenced world has a way of stealing, destroying, eroding one’s dynamic optimism. It affects our heart, our decision making, our countenance, our life. You lose energy, passion, and joy for life. 

Sadly, so many people really don't know how to live. They simply exist or vegetate. They float through life never really learning how to live. I think it's for that reason Jesus said in John 10:10, I have come that you might have life and have it to the fullest. Now I think Christians, of all people, ought to be dynamically optimistic!!! We have been blessed in a special, special way.   

So how can you live a dynamically optimistic life? This morning, I want to note two key principles if we are to have dynamic optimism.

First, if you are going to have a dynamically optimistic life, one needs to be totally convinced/have confidence that God exists and Jesus is Lord! Be a truth seeker!!

Hebrews 11:1 states, Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 

There is tendency for unbelievers and believers to have doubts. People can doubt the very existence of God, the identity of Jesus as Lord, the reliability of Scripture, the problem of suffering and various other issues of life.  that prompt doubt and discouragement! It can enter our lives in various ways, including traumatic experiences, failure, suffering or mistaken beliefs. We all experience doubts because we simply can’t know everything.  Doubt is a natural part of being human.

Even highly regarded people in the Bible had periods of doubt. John the Baptist experienced uncertainty about Jesus’ identity, sending messengers to ask, “Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?” Jesus reassured him through His works, confirming the fulfillment of prophecy (Luke 7:19).

Thomas, known as “Doubting Thomas,” demanded proof of Jesus’ resurrection: “Unless I see the nail marks… I will not believe” (John 20:25). When Jesus invited him to touch His wounds, Thomas proclaimed, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28).

Now let me note this. Unbelief is a little bit different concept compared to doubt. Doubt is a struggling mind looking for answers while unbelief is a settled will refusing to believe. To doubt is the middle ground between faith and unbelief. Those who have unbelief are those who basically don’t want to seek the truth!  This is a person who has made a deliberate choice to reject or refuse to seek the truth. As Romans 1:18 states, They suppress the truth. (Note Romans 1:18-22).

Jesus said in John 3:19, This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.

II Corinthians 4:4 states, The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Ephesians 4:18 states, They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts (Also note John 12:40; Hebrews 3:8, 15; 4:7).

The generation of Noah is an example of this. They ignored God’s warnings until the flood destroyed them (Genesis 6–7; 2 Peter 2:5). The Pharisees and religious leaders are another example as they witnessed Jesus’ miracles but still did not believe (John 12:37). In fact, they believed Jesus’ power came from Satan (Matthew 12:24; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:15; Jewish Talmud).

Yet no matter how doubt or even unbelief gets in, it won't go away on its own. If you want to address it, to either eliminate or confirm it, you must act. It is important not to give up but to become a truth seeker!

Now, please realize a Biblical understanding of faith isn't blind or opposed to evidence. Faith is simply trusting in what you have good reason to believe is true.  

So let me give you some basic evidence why we can believe in God and in Jesus! One reason is because there must have been a cause that this world/universe/dimension exists.  There must be an explanation why this universe even exists.  An atheist believes that the universe came from nothing. It just happened. But that is hard to believe. For out of nothing, nothing comes. The more logical reason is there must have been an external cause. Let me ask you. Can you think of anything that began to exist that doesn’t have a cause? No, whatever begins to exist has a cause.

Then one also needs to consider the fine-tuning of this universe/dimension. The universe displays complexity, purpose and design that could only come from an intelligent designer.   William Paley came up with the Watchmaker analogy in 1794.  If you take the back cover of a watch off, you will see how intricate it is and you would say, “There must be a watchmaker.”  

Let me share with you some amazing facts demonstrating an Intelligent Designer that I came across.

If the earth were 1 degree closer to the sun, we would fry! If we were 1 degree further, we would freeze!

If the moon were any closer or larger, the tides would destroy the coastlines.  If any smaller or further away, the oceans would die from a lack of nutrient movement.

If our distance from Jupiter were any greater, asteroids and comets would strike the earth. If we were any closer our orbit would become unstable.

If the surface gravity were any stronger, earth would retain too much ammonia and methane.  If it were any weaker, earth’s atmosphere would lose too much water.

If the carbon dioxide level were any greater, runaway greenhouse effect would kill us.  If it were any less, plants would be unable to maintain photosynthesis.

If the ratio of carbon to oxygen had been slightly different than it is, none of us would have been here to breathe the air.

Even the tilt of the earth’s axis is crucial to maintaining the earth’s temperature.

The Psalmist understood God was the Creator as Psalm 19:1-4a states, The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. 3 There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. 4 Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.

Romans 1:20, Since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature-- are clearly seen, being understood by what was made, so that people are without excuse.

Then there is your amazing body.  For instance, the human brain is amazing!  The human brain processes more than a million messages a second.  Your brain weighs the importance of all this data, filtering out the relatively unimportant. There is intelligence to the brain, the ability to reason, to produce feelings, to dream and plan, to take action, and relate to other people. Where did your brain come from?

When DNA was discovered, everyone was amazed at how much complex information there is stored inside every living cell.  Inside every one of our body’s 100 trillion cells is a strand of DNA that would stretch six feet long if you were to uncoil it.  Scientists have said that DNA is the most efficient information storage system in the world.  

It is not surprising that David said in Psalm 139.14, I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

One book that I greatly appreciate is by Norman Geisler and Frank Turek entitled, I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist. It takes greater faith not to believe in God than it does to believe in God. Many people don’t grasp that we all have faith of some sort. What one believes is simply displayed by his/her words and actions.  

Over 50 years ago, I started to wake up to the concept of the existence of God. I attended church and Sunday school weekly as a kid. I was confirmed and became of member of a Presbyterian church. Yet, I really didn’t believe in God or Jesus. I remember one Sunday school class when I was about 17 telling them that I doubted God’s existence, that I was a skeptic. Then the new youth pastor encouraged me to attend church camp. My mom persuaded me to go. Then one morning, I was taking a walk with a fellow camper, and he said something to effect, “Isn’t God’s creation amazing” as he pointed out the trees and other parts of nature. I thought for a second and suddenly, the light bulb went on in my head. He was right! It was the first step in me really coming to truly believe in the Lord.    

God has not only revealed Himself through general revelation, but also special revelation. He raised up the Jewish people. The climax of his revelation is Jesus. There is also plenty of evidence to believe in Jesus and the resurrection! Let me share with you some basic facts.

Scholars widely agree that Jesus of Nazareth existed as a historical figure in 1st-century Judea. This is supported by not only the New Testament, but also multiple independent sources and early writings. Tacitus, Josephus, Suetonius, and Jewish Talmud acknowledge Jesus as a historical figure.

Archaeology also corroborates the evidence of a historical Jesus. For instance, archaeology verifies several individuals mentioned in the Gospels such as Pontius Pilate, the high priest Caiaphas and James Ossuary, a burial box, which states, James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus.  One interesting artifact is the Shroud of Turin which many consider the burial cloth of Jesus.

Of course there is plenty of evidence for Jesus’ resurrection.

1. Prophecy is a major reason to believe in Jesus’ death and resurrection! For example, Isaiah 53 speaks of Jesus death and resurrection.

1. The empty tomb. Nobody ever claimed it was anything but empty!

3.Women Discover the Empty Tomb

Scholars have noted that the fact that the Bible says women discovered the tomb empty lends even more credibility to these accounts, because women had low status in Jewish society at that time. If the disciples were fabricating this story, surely, they would have claimed it was men who discovered the tomb empty because their testimony would have been more credible in that culture.

1. Jesus’ resurrection appearances. Jesus I Corinthians 15:5-8, Paul writes, “and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. 6After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.”

1. The transformation of Jesus’ disciples. There was a dramatic and enduring transformation of the disciples from terrified, defeated cowards after Jesus’ crucifixion into courageous preachers and eventually, martyrs. All the disciples were persecuted to death because of their faith in Jesus, except for John who died in exile. The question then is, “Would you die for a lie?”
   
   

2. Apostle Paul’s conversion supports the truth of the resurrection. He was violently opposed to the Christian faith (Acts 9:1). But now, to everyone’s astonishment, he is risking his life for the gospel (Acts 9:24-25).

1. The Birth and the Rapid Rise of the Christian Church gives evidence of the resurrection.

C.F.D. Moule writes, "The birth and rapid rise of the Christian Church ... remains an unsolved enigma for any historian who refuses to take seriously the only explanation offered by the church itself, the resurrection." 

1. A Common Message—the Gospel from Sober, Coherent, Devoted to the Truth Messengers

The good news of Jesus Christ that Peter preached, Paul preached, or any of the apostles preached is the same: Christ died for our sins, he was buried, and he rose from the dead. This message has impacted millions over the centuries.   

The evidence to believe in God and Jesus is more than sufficient. Now one can have a knowledge of the evidence, but it then takes a wholehearted step of faith! If you imagine a spiritual scale with negative 10 being a deep level of unbelief and zero being a starting point/conversion. Apologists agree that having a knowledge of the evidence for God and Jesus might get a person to -2 or -3, but then it takes a step of faith. 

1. If you are going to have dynamic optimism, then wholeheartedly believe in God and Jesus. Know Him!! Make a wholehearted commitment of your heart, your mind, and your will to the Lord Jesus Christ!

Now, Hebrews 11 gives good number of OT examples of people who had true faith. In verses 3 and 4, he notes Abel. Then in verse 5 he notes Enoch. Later in the chapter he notes Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses and others.

Hebrews 11:6 notes the importance of true faith. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists…

Faith in God and Jesus is more than agreeing with certain ideas. It is a firm, personal trust that God is real, powerful, loving, and faithful to His promises. One wholeheartedly believes in Jesus and his resurrection.

Romans 10:9, 10 states, If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 

As one takes a step the step of faith, one confesses Jesus is Lord and believes in their heart that he rose from the dead.  In making Him Lord of your life, you take self-off the throne of your life and put Jesus on the throne of your life. This type of faith leads to doing his will, trusting and obeying.

The end of Hebrews 11:6 notes, and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

That week at church camp, not only did the lightbulb come on that God created this world, but I was prompted to seek Him. This occurred because one of the songs was Seek ye First. On the Friday night before the group was leaving, the senior pastor called for people to make a commitment to Christ. I didn’t physically respond, but God was working. I didn’t really understand what it meant to put one’s faith in Jesus. On that Sunday, I told Kathy about my experience. She made the comment that it sounds like you found some peace. Over the following weeks, I started to read God’s word, particularly the gospel of Matthew. I came across Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. To seek Him first became a major goal.  

I also read Matthew 13 about the Parable of the Sower. As I pondered this parable, I decided that I didn’t want to be like the seed that fell along the path. This person does not understand it, and the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. I didn’t want to be where the seed fell on rocky ground. This is the one who hears the word and receives it with joy. However, when life becomes difficult, they fall away. I also didn’t want to have heart that fell among the thorns. This is the one who hears the word, but the worries of life and the desire for wealth choke it. I decided that I wanted to have a heart where the gospel of Jesus fell on good soil. This is the one who hears the word, understands it, and produces a crop yielding a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown. 

People give up often because they put their faith in their feelings instead of the facts! Listen, you need to hold on to the facts!! For instance: Fact: God is Almighty, the Creator of this world. He revealed Himself through the Jewish people and climaxed in His Son, Jesus.  

Fact:  Jesus Christ lived and died for your sins!  If you believe, you are forgiven. Romans 8:1, There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. 

Fact:  Jesus Christ has risen from the dead!! HE IS ALIVE!! Our present sufferings are not worth comparing with our future!  There is heaven. We have a blessed hope!

When one wholeheartedly believes in Jesus, holds to the facts/the promises of the Lord, God’s Holy Spirit works in one’s life.

Romans 5:5 states, And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. 

A true believer receives the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38, 39). Ephesians 1:13, 14 states, And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

How do we have a knowledge of God's grace and love toward us in Jesus Christ?  It is the gift of the Holy Spirit. When one puts wholehearted faith in Jesus, one is given the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. Then, God’s Holy Spirit begins to work! Next week, I will touch on the third key principle to dynamic optimism. One needs to walk in the Spirit.  

Now, let me close with this story. There’s a wonderful little legend about a man who was lost and wandering in the desert, dying of thirst. As he wandered in that terribly hot desert, he stumbled upon a ramshackle, dilapidated shack. There wasn’t much to it, but, at least, it would provide a little bit of shade and respite for him. So, he stumbled into that shack and was enjoying the shade for a moment.

He was looking around when he noticed about fifteen feet away from him a rickety, rusty old pump. His eyes brightened, and he thought, "I wonder." He staggered over to the pump and grabbed hold of the handle. He began to work that pump up and down, but nothing came out. He fell back to the ground, and as he fell, his hand landed on something. He looked over and saw it was an old jug covered with dirt and filth. He took the jug, and it felt like there was something in it ... sand, for all he knew. He began to wipe off what appeared to be a label or a note. He brushed away the dirt and began to make it out. It said: "You have to prime the pump with all the water in the jug. P.S. Be sure to fill the jug again before you leave."

Wow! Suddenly, he was faced with this life-or-death decision. I mean, here’s the sure thing. Here’s a jug with some water. At least, if he drank that, he could live a little while longer. But if, indeed, it was true, he would have access to flowing, fresh, cool water ... as much as he could possibly want.

He pondered that decision for a few moments. Could he really trust that set of instructions that was no telling how old? He decided to go for it. He popped the cork. Sure enough, it was almost full of water. He walked over to the pump, poured it all into the pump, and grabbed hold of the handle. He began to work that pump again ... squeak, squeak, squeak. Nothing came out. Squeak, squeak, squeak. Suddenly, there appeared a trickle of water. Squeak, squeak, squeak. It grew into a larger stream of water. Squeak, squeak, squeak. Suddenly, it was gushing all the cool, flowing, wonderful water he could possibly want.

He filled the jug and drank it. He filled it and drank it again. He was marvelously refreshed. Then he remembered the note. He filled the jug again, put the cork back in place, and added his own little note to it: "Believe me, it really works. You will be refreshed if you have to give it all away to get it back."

As you make the decision to trust and follow Jesus, you will be marvelously refreshed. Listen, it really works. 

Let’s pray.