Posts Tagged ‘Romans 8:28’
Are faith and optimism synonyms?
Can a Christian be a pessimist?
I certainly hope so. Or I’ve got a lot more to be worried about than my general disposition.
Maybe the more important question is whether faith and optimism are synonymous. Do these two words mean the same thing?
Methinks not. I believe they are related, but not the same. I have two lines of reasoning on this:
Observation
- I know plenty of optimists who have no belief in Christ whatsoever. Their lens on life is upbeat and sunny, but based on no Christian eschatological or theological view.
- I know plenty of ardent followers of Christ who generally see things in a negative light. The Bible speaks to discouragement, even amongst believers. And perhaps this is one reason God saw fit to send the Holy Spirit to comfort us in His absence?
- At the point of conversion to faith, I observe no broad, correlating change in “outlook bias” from pessimistic to optimistic across the general population. Read More
Bad news. Good news. Or both?
I feel a little badly about saying this to you. Even just for thinking it, really.
But I don’t feel so badly that I won’t say it. I’ve been tracking the career of an author with some 10+ Lifeway-published book titles to her name and a prolific speaking calendar. Her trajectory is one that I admittedly envy. (I’m not proud of that, but there you have it.)
Today, in my inbox, I received notice that her next big event was cancelled. Cancelled. The reason? Lack of interest and registration. Not enough attendees to justify putting on the event.
So, here’s the part I feel badly about: Read More
On the Court: Part II
The faith illustration didn’t stop there for me, however.
The coach’s instruction, audible to those listening intently, was one simple word: “Doubles.” The girls immediately shifted their defensive strategy and double-teamed their tall, ball-carrying opponent.
We’re not meant to go through life alone.
Especially when facing challenges or a powerful adversary. God calls us to a strategy of ‘doubles.’ Read More
Where else can I go?
Following God is anything but easy.
Every day seems to bring news of tragic events. In recent days, it’s struck closer to my circles in the forms of the kidnapping and murder of an elementary student, and the suicide of an eighth grader. I looked at my own eighth grader through tear-filled eyes, thankful for her every breath. I recalled the scare we had this time last year with my younger daughter and was moved again to gratitude. The happenings of the last week have touched me deeply because of their proximity, but injustices the world over paralyze me with their enormity and pervasiveness. Evil seems rampant and I’m tempted to question both the goodness and power of God. Read More
Keep out. Come in.
Are privacy and authenticity mutually exclusive?
The call for authenticity has taken up residence in yet another forum. It’s no longer the mantra just of small groups and friendship; now blog posts and Facebook status updates are required to contain some degree of personal drama to qualify the writer as being ‘real.’ It appears there’s no venue in which privacy is deemed appropriate or even important. Read More
School Bus Redemption: Allergies, Bullies and Opportunities
Does God really work all things together for our good? Even the paltry stuff of school bus drama?
He doesn’t always let us see how He’s doing so, but His Word says He will, indeed, redeem all of life’s events for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28). I revel in it when He gives me a small glimpse of this kind of redemption.
My son suffers from a list of food allergies so long even an Iron Chef would get his spatula in a twist to cook for him. Read More
Permitted with Purpose
Why did God make me this way?
This was my child’s lament in the throes of algebra-induced frustration. I tried (unsuccessfully) not to cry, too; I ache for it to be different for her.
Despite her struggle, she acknowledges God’s power to cause a change in her abilities. Yet, she was, to some degree, blaming Him; her comment indicts God for not allowing it to come easily for her.
I am powerless to change this for her. I know that God can, yet to this point has chosen not to. I felt my role was to help lead her to see what God was accomplishing in and through it. When I asked what she thought, she came up empty. I reminded her that God made her perfectly, wonderfully (Psalm 139:14), and shared with her what I have observed: Read More