Countering Pessimism

One of the things I really don’t like about myself is that I am so inherently pessimistic. I must remind myself multiple times a day to look at the positive side of things, and often I need reminding from others to do so. (I am so glad that Philippians 4:8 is on one of the children’s CDs we have!) Here are some examples of negative thoughts I regularly have and how I attempt to displace them with happy thoughts.

I wish I didn’t struggle constantly with two chronic diseases.
At least my diseases are somewhat treatable and aren’t nearly as painful or terminal as they could be.

I wish we lived closer to all our relatives, especially our parents.
At least many of our relatives, including our parents, live within driving distance.

I wish it didn’t take me so long to develop deep friendships.
At least I have a few close friends.

I wish we didn’t keep making friends that ended up moving away.
At least we can still keep in touch through email.

I wish that all of my friends who wanted to be pregnant could be.
At least I can pray for them…and share my baby.

I wish pregnancy hadn’t been so unimaginably difficult for me.
At least I could be pregnant.

I wish we lived in a smaller city.
Our city has the best church, medical care, and job that we could ask for.

I wish we lived closer to the meeting place of our church.
We are so blessed to be able to worship freely and be a part of a fabulous church.

I wish we could afford to go on nice vacations like so many of our friends.
Much more importantly, we can afford to live in our own house in a safe neighborhood, and I can stay home with our baby.

I wish I had more time and energy to make a difference in the world by spreading God’s love and truth.
The primary way I can spread God’s love and truth right now is by teaching my daughter.

I wish the world wasn’t so messed up, scary, and sinful.
At least it won’t be that way forever.

I wish I wasn’t so pessimistic.
I am so grateful that I have a husband who is so patient with me!