Defensive Pessimism

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. Matt 6:31-32

I recently read an article entitled “The Upside of Pessimism” by Olga Khazan in The Atlantic and it made me think if pessimism is so prevalent in our society, then what does that mean for the church? I know that every time I turn on the news it seems as though something else is coming to get us: COVID-19, murder hornets, a recession. There is a lot of pessimism in this world, which in turn causes quite a bit of unnecessary anxiety. Julie Norem, a psychology professor at Wheaton College, said, “When people are being defensively pessimistic, they set low expectations, but then they take the next step which is to think through in concrete and vivid ways what exactly might go wrong.” I am not against prior planning, that would be foolish. However, planning for failure will certainly lead to failure.

Low expectations yield low results. Low expectations suggest that we should aim low. Low expectations take the focus off of God and put it on us and the people we are trying to reach. Consider what the Word of God has to say about worry. Do you remember the result of seed cast among the thorns? He heard the word but the care of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, choked the word and that man became unfruitful (cf. Mt 13:22). Worry destroys the value of the word in us. So if worry causes us to set the bar so low that any sort of “good” thing is a home run, we cheapen the Word. This is perhaps why many are content with fluff and self-help sermons, books, and lectures rather than addressing the weightier matters of life and faith. Moreover, worry causes our evangelistic efforts to be many times the same fluff and no solid foundation.

In Philippians 4:6, Paul wrote, “Be careful for nothing,” or as the ASV says, “Be anxious for nothing.” Pessimism makes one anxious about every little thing. That anxiety is what prevents many of us from sharing the Gospel. We either believe that we cannot do what we have prepared for or, even worse, we never prepare so that we cannot do. Our mission is to prepare and do. Can the Lord trust you to carry His message? Brethren, pessimism destroys health and happiness. Pessimism causes even good things to become evil in the eyes of the pessimist. Pessimism is a denial of God, for He is a living and mindful God who cares for and loves you (cf. 2 Pet 5:7).

Thus, we cannot go forward from this state as pessimistic people. We have no reason to live recklessly, but we cannot set low expectations and expect anything other than mediocrity and lukewarm results (see Rev. 3:16). I pray that we, as the Lord’s church, will let go of defensive pessimism and do what the Lord has commanded us to do with expectations of saving souls.

Grace and peace,

Ryan

Don't Raise an Ahaz

Twenty years old was Ahaz when he began to reign; and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: and he did not that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah his God, like David his father. But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yea, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the nations, whom Jehovah cast out from before the children of Israel. And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree . 2 Kings 16:2-4 When was the first time you drove a car? What about the first time you jumped off a diving board or gave a speech? After that first time, it certainly became easier. What about the first lie you told? Did it become easier? King Ahaz of Judah was evil and far from the example of David. Ahaz was the first to offer child sacrifices to t...

Abijah and Totality

Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam the son of Nebat reigned Abijam (also Abijah) over Judah.Three years reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom. And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father. 1 Kings 15:1-3 Do you ever wonder how someone who gets things mostly right can still be so wrong? It is mind-boggling if we do not consider that God judges man in totality. From our text above, it is hard to see anything good that can be said about Abijam (Abijah) son of Rehoboam. After all, it is evident that he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father. So where do we learn the details? 2 Chronicles 13:1-22 gives us further evidence of Abijah’s issues. We know he i...

Can a Christian Celebrate a Secular Christmas?

Can a Christian celebrate a secular Christmas? This is a good question and one that deserves an honest answer. This week I read the following, “If you don’t talk about Jesus at Christmas time, you miss Jesus. If you do not sing those scriptural songs focusing on Jesus, you miss Jesus. You might have grown up in a church where “Christmas” was a “Jesus-free” day.” These were some accusations leveled against some brethren by a well-known preacher in our brotherhood. In this article, I wish to set the record straight on how it is rather simple to celebrate a secular Christmas and it not be a “Jesus-free” day. I contend that no day is “Jesus free” for a New Testament Christian. First, this brother accuses the church “of not knowing what to do with Christmas. They celebrate it in their homes, but avoid it at all costs in church.” I contend that the preachers who preach the whole counsel of God know what to do with...

Ironworks

Search This Blog