A Prayer for the Pessimist
A distinctive mark of God’s people should be an attitude of hope and eager expectation. After all, we’ve read the end of the story and know that our team wins. However, pessimism and discouragement are all too frequently found in the family of God. Sometimes this seems to be an innate characteristic, like being born an Eeyore. In other cases, even the most optimistic among us can be worn down by ongoing trials, the long slog of progressive sanctification, or the seeming lack of change in those we counsel. Regardless of the source, pessimism can cause the good news of God’s Word to sound flat and lifeless and can counter promises with rebuttals and refutations. Thankfully, Mary’s Song of Praise from Luke 1:46-55 holds helpful lessons for the pessimists among us.
Context for Mary’s Song
Mary has just learned from the angel Gabriel that she is about to give birth to the Son of God—news that is startling at best for this virgin betrothed to Joseph. The narrative indicates that she left quickly to visit her relative Elizabeth, who was also unexpectedly pregnant. After initial greetings, Mary breaks out in a song of praise, not unlike a musical where the action pauses so that the crescendo of emotion can be expressed in song. Mary is stirred by the greatness of the Lord and the wonder of the Son of the Most High coming into the world, and nothing less than a song from the heart will do. “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,” sings Mary (Luke 1:46-47).
Possible Rebuttals
Mary had a number of possible rebuttals to this “good news of great joy” (2:10). She was about to give birth out of wedlock—what would people assume about her? Even if she explained her situation, how many of her friends and acquaintances would believe her astounding story? The potential for shame and isolation would have been great. Would Joseph go through with his pledge to marry her? It appears that Mary left Nazareth before even finding out, and his refusal would add to her disgrace. She was potentially facing life as a single mom without the social acceptance or financial supports that single moms today have access to—a life of dishonor and poverty. Finally, like all mothers-to-be, she would experience the discomforts of pregnancy, the pain of childbirth, and the challenges of raising a child. These are the realities of Mary’s “humble estate” (1:48), and we would understand if they consumed her thoughts.
Mary’s Source of Joy
Mary’s hope and joy are undoubtedly tied to knowing that she would give birth to the Son of God. As she proclaims, “From now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me” (1:48-49). But her joy is far from being merely circumstantial. She knows God, and her knowledge is not merely abstract but is tied to concrete experiences. She has been personally looked on and blessed by God (1:48-49) and is versed in His mercy to the generations (1:50, 53-55). For Mary, God at work was God doing something great, something worth stopping to sing about. Any trials she might experience are completely overshadowed by His exaltation of the humble, among whom she belonged (1:48, 52). The apostle Paul echoes Mary’s perspective when he reminds the Corinthian church that “this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (2 Cor. 4:17).
At this point, Mary knows little about the specifics of her life as Jesus’ mother. Like the apostles, she had no understanding that He would be rejected, humiliated, and cruelly murdered without cause. Nor did she foresee His resurrection and ascension to the right hand of the Father. But God’s character guaranteed that whatever He had planned, it would be good. His past record gives Mary assurance of the future.
How much more reason do we have to rejoice, given our fuller knowledge of Jesus’ finished work on the cross? Further, God has added an additional two millennia of mercy and faithfulness toward His people, which can inform our hopes and overcome our discouragements.
Making Mary’s Song Our Song
As a “glass half-empty” person myself, I have used Mary’s song to help my counselees and myself battle pessimism in the following ways:
- “Stop the Action” Praise — Interrupting your routine to give thanks and praise for God’s daily mercies keeps His power and goodness at the forefront of your mind, which is a mighty antidote to pessimism.
- Source of Joy — Joy rooted only in circumstances is an iffy proposition in a fallen world. Rooting joy in God’s character and record of faithfulness is a more sure and stable source of joy.
- Heart Posture — Mary rejoiced in God’s strength because she was among the humble that He exalted, rather than the proud and mighty that He scattered and brought down (Luke 1:51-52). Maintaining a humble posture before God gives warrant for eager expectation rather than pessimistic dread.
- Echo Scripture — Mary’s Song of Praise has marked similarities to Hannah’s prayer (1 Sam. 2:1-10). In the same way, our praise should reflect the themes and content of God’s Word, keeping us from self-focus and error.
- God’s Big Story — Living in light of God’s big story is essential as we face the trials and sufferings of this world which threaten to steal our hope and joy. We cannot lose sight of the reality that the victory is won, and our future is assured.
Learning from Mary’s Song helps us to say with the psalmist, “I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being” (Ps. 104:33).
Questions for Reflection
When are you most afflicted by pessimism and discouragement? What other passages of Scripture support your striving for hope and joy in the Lord? In what specific ways do God’s character and work support this quest for you?