Endeavoring to Yield
I have long considered optimism a Christian concept, really grounded in Scripture. We know how things end (in Revelation), and it is very good. As I thought about how to think more that way, I realized the answer is not to reform ourselves into a different mindset, as if we must actively change ourselves. It is more like falling into a track that already exists—falling into a path, a current. The phrase that came to mind was endeavoring to yield.
Instead of working to change your personality to match scriptural concepts, it felt like actively not working versus actively yielding, which is such a scriptural picture. We don't actively change our mind; we don't conform ourselves (middle voice, similar to reflexive) to this age (i.e., "think this way! change yourself!")—rather, offering our bodies to God as living sacrifices leads to the renewing of our mind and thus we are transformed (passive voice).
1Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. 2Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1,2
The thing that we want, we may get; not by working for it ourselves, but by yielding to the Creator (Romans 11:6).
There is a Sabbath rest that still exists for the people of God, where we lay down our own works and rest in God and let Him do what we need, because He has already laid out the way (Hebrews 4:9,10). Jesus said He is the way (John 14:6). We are one with Him. Paul tells us to put Him on, to put on the armor of light, to put on the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 13:12,14), and to walk as He walked (1 John 2:6). He said we can do nothing apart from Him (John 15:5).
So the picture for optimism is fundamentally faith in God, because you know what God is and what He is like: His kindness, His love, His purpose in having a will and a counsel that He is working all things together according to Him going in a particular direction of His own choosing (Romans 8:28). He knows what He is doing. He knows how He is doing it. And He is good. Those famous psalms repeat over and over that Yahweh is good and His loving-kindness endures forever (Psalms 136:1). All throughout the Bible we are reminded of how amazingly good, pure, righteous, kind, and patient God is (2 Peter 3:15, Romans 2:4, Romans 9:22). He is an optimist, if we look at it that way, because whatever He desires He will bring to pass, and whatever He has spoken will be accomplished. His word does not fall to the ground but is the power of its own fulfillment (Isaiah 46:10, Isaiah 55:11).
Indeed, it's the flesh that has "works" but it's the Spirit that produces "fruit." If we live (and walk) by means of that same Spirit (Galatians 5:16,19,22,25), the "positive mindset" we may rightly desire will generate itself from within, by virtue of our union with the One Whose nature emanates it: Yahweh, the Father through His Son Jesus, the Word of God, through the Spirit, the Saying of God. Just as spoken by beloved Mary, mother of Jesus: "let it become (be birthed) in me according to your saying." (Luke 1:38)
We endeavor to yield. Our version of optimism is not working ourselves up to think really good and positive thoughts. It is simply to slip into the train tracks, the roller-coaster tracks, the well-worn path, the way He has already made for us—created in Messiah Yeshua for good works which He prepared beforehand that we would walk in them (Ephesians 2:10).
This way is so easy if our personality type does not naturally match that kind of thinking, trust, or calmness regardless of circumstances. How easy is it to get into a roller-coaster car and let the ride operator start it up? They strap you in and take you on the pre-mapped route. All you have to do is get in the car. All you have to do is let them put the restraints over you so you do not fall out along the way. Then you get to take in the sights and enjoy the experience to the fullest, with no fear! And we know that Yahweh builds only the most secure ride—it'll never break down, and we'll never fall out (John 10:28-29, Philippians 1:6).
Just like a path you would take on a hike, all you have to do is stay on the path you can clearly see, already worn by someone else (Matthew 7:13,14). All you have to do is not go off on your own into the wilderness where there is danger and the unknown. The path you are walking is not some human path, but exactly where the Lord who created you wants you to walk. All your curiosity can be satisfied on that path with maximum safety and the assurance that you are not wasting time, not going in circles, not getting off in the wrong direction and ending up in a different town, at a bear cave, at a den of robbers, or at a cliff where your only option is to jump or to go back.
These natural pictures illustrate that endeavoring to yield is the right way to work. The way to work is to not work. The right way to work is to stop working, because the One who will be carrying us is a Person, a perfect way of living. If we endeavor to yield, thinking positively comes naturally, because we see with His eyes, we have His heart, and most importantly we are living by His faith.
20I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I that live, but Christ lives in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me. Galatians 2:20