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| Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. (Matthew 14:27, Mark 6:50) |
Lately I've been rethinking my long-time penchant for following current events. News sources are overflowing with stories about the most unspeakable depravities, corruption, wars and crises, natural disasters, poverty, rampant disease, and so on. This is even reputed to be the year (supposedly according to ancient Mayans) that the world comes to an end. Even here in America we're confronted with widespread unemployment, political strife, social unrest, crime, and declining health. How could anyone smile or be hopeful in the midst of all this?
Since my youth I've had a pessimistic streak, and long indulged the idea that if I always expected the worst, at least I would rarely be disappointed. Only in recent years, as the Lord has helped me mend certain of my ways and dispelled much of the darkness obscuring my vision, has this started to change. Then I heard a talk in church last week that summed up what's been emerging in my mind. The theme: it's impossible (or should be) for a Christian to be a pessimist!
Being caught (for the time being) in this mortal world and its darkness, we tend to worry and fear the worst. That's as Satan wants it, for people who are fearful naturally put self above others and even above God. The only weapons we have to fight back with are a steady faith and constant prayer, which will ever remind us that God's perfect love "casteth out fear" (1 John 4:18). That love works through us toward others, and dissolves the walls that fear erects between us. Thus, "we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." (Hebrews 13:6)
The word "gospel" means "good news," and Scripture is replete with messages of hope and assurance--especially that Christ died to save us from our sins, that He lives now and forever, and that if we believe on Him we will be saved in the end, for all eternity, with Him in a Heaven infinitely removed from the troubles of this world. "These things I have spoken unto you," says the Lord, "that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) His will is that "the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. (Romans 15:13)
Since my youth I've had a pessimistic streak, and long indulged the idea that if I always expected the worst, at least I would rarely be disappointed. Only in recent years, as the Lord has helped me mend certain of my ways and dispelled much of the darkness obscuring my vision, has this started to change. Then I heard a talk in church last week that summed up what's been emerging in my mind. The theme: it's impossible (or should be) for a Christian to be a pessimist!
Being caught (for the time being) in this mortal world and its darkness, we tend to worry and fear the worst. That's as Satan wants it, for people who are fearful naturally put self above others and even above God. The only weapons we have to fight back with are a steady faith and constant prayer, which will ever remind us that God's perfect love "casteth out fear" (1 John 4:18). That love works through us toward others, and dissolves the walls that fear erects between us. Thus, "we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." (Hebrews 13:6)
The word "gospel" means "good news," and Scripture is replete with messages of hope and assurance--especially that Christ died to save us from our sins, that He lives now and forever, and that if we believe on Him we will be saved in the end, for all eternity, with Him in a Heaven infinitely removed from the troubles of this world. "These things I have spoken unto you," says the Lord, "that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) His will is that "the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. (Romans 15:13)
Saint JosemarĂa Escrivá wrote:
Christian optimism is not a sugary optimism; nor is it a mere human confidence that everything will turn out all right. It is an optimism that sinks its roots in an awareness of our freedom, and in the sure knowledge of the power of grace. It is an optimism which leads us to make demands on ourselves, to struggle to respond at every moment to God's calls.
As has often been observed, the Christian life is not a pleasure cruise--challenges and struggles still abound, including those within ourselves. However, we can and should be optimistic because our faith and God's grace give us the power to confront and overcome any challenge we may encounter. From time to time God may give us more than we think we can handle, but never more than we can deal with relying on His help. "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26)
So, as the Bible says, "Be of good cheer!" Holding fast to the Lord's hand we have and will overcome the world, and have nothing to fear.
So, as the Bible says, "Be of good cheer!" Holding fast to the Lord's hand we have and will overcome the world, and have nothing to fear.
Tom Fleming
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