Rejoice in the Lord always.
—Philippians 4:4
Oxymoron: pessimistic Christian.
Christians don’t ignore or deny adversities. But they possess an inner joy that overrides outer circumstances. Believers experience comfort even in the thick of distressing circumstances (Rom 8:28). We share Paul’s exuberance: “In all our troubles my joy knows no bounds” (2 Cor 7:4); “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances” (Phil 4:11).
Jesus’ earth visit brought “good news of great joy” (Lk 2;10).
He told his disciples to “rejoice because your names are written in heaven” (Lk 10:20). And on the night before his death, he told them that he was sharing his life and message with them, “that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (Jn 15:11).
Jesus came to fill us with gladness, not sadness.