Faith, as Fenton Johnson describes it in his article, has everything to do with how we live in the present and how we face the future. Confident, not in our own cleverness and ability, but confident in God's grace. There is a huge difference between hope and optimism. Let's cross our fingers. When things don't work out for the best, optimism turns into cynicism.
Cynicism gives up the game.
Circumstances are beyond our control. Cynicism, as Peter Gomes says, is a cheap substitute for wisdom. It quickly leads to despair. But hope is more than mere optimism, more than mere sentimentality. Hope is realistic and truthful.