Hi friends,
Sometimes, I have noticed a strand of thinking among Christians that suggests we should always be at peace, joyful, grateful, and have a positive outlook. After all, God loves us!
I understand the Biblical support for this position - Jesus gives us his peace (John 14:27), Paul tells us to rejoice in the Lord always (Philippians 4:4), and to give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18), and to know that God is always working for our good (Romans 8:28).
At the same time, itâs interesting to note how the authors of these same passages describe their emotions.
For instance, Paul confesses in 1 Corinthians 2:3, âI came to you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.â
He writes in 2 Corinthians 1:8, âWe donât want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, of our affliction that took place in Asia. We were completely overwhelmedâbeyond our strengthâso that we even despaired of life itself.â
And later, in 2 Cor 7:5-6, âFor even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted in every wayâdisputes without and fears within. But God, who consoles the downcastâŚâ
When Jesus comforts Peter by reminding him of his love (after Peterâs denial), we read, âPeter was grieved that he asked him the third time, âDo you love meââ (John 21:17).
I wonât mention the Psalms in any detal, as Iâve discussed how they provide warrant for emotional honesty with God many times.
All that to say, I was encouraged as I read the Bible today to see how many of the âspiritual heroesâ candidly shared their emotions - including the negative ones - as a normal part of their experience.