Often I speak with "Pollyanna" type of people who see only the good in life. I pray that I never become one of them.
When we choose to see only the "positive" side of life we must deny what is real. This denial is a form of lying. Since we live in a wicked world that is becoming more and more wicked all the time, we will see daily, many things that grieve the heart of God and should grieve us to the point of prayer.
We become stronger in our faith when we can face things head-on and call them what they really are. It is a weak man or woman who must only see the "positive" in order to have faith or contentment.
Proverbs 24:5 "A wise man [is] strong, Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength;"
We cannot be of help to those who are struggling with hardship and persecution if we turn our heads away from all that is unpleasant.
Isaiah 40:28 "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable.
Isa 40:29 He gives power to the weak, And to [those who have] no might He increases strength.
Isa 40:30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall,
Isa 40:31 But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew [their] strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint"
Fear causes us to interpret things in terms of "happy" or "positive." I see many believers busying themselves with the mundane things of the world in an attempt to avoid thinking about what is unpleasant.
How can we agonize in prayer over serious matters, if we refuse to see them? How can we develop a deep sense of concern for fellow believers if we deny their infirmities or troubles?
When our goal is to know the truth, all of it, that we might be useful for the kingdom of God, then and only then will we gain an understanding into the heart of God. Those who are emotionally weak and cannot look at all things and call them by their name, will not be helpful to anyone in need. They will choose to satisfy those needs that glorify themselves and take the slightest effort to fulfill them.
May we pray for the strength to see life as it really is, so then we can be useful and contented at the same time.
Isaiah 30:27 "Behold, the name of the LORD comes from afar, Burning [with] His anger, And [His] burden [is] heavy; His lips are full of indignation, And His tongue like a devouring fire."
If we are born again, we have the God of the universe mentioned in Isaiah living in us. He does not ignore the plight of His people, nor does He ignore what the evil person does to those who belong to Him. He pays attention to all of it.
2 Thes. 3:1 "Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run [swiftly] and be glorified, just as [it is] with you,
2Th 3:2 and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.
2Th 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard [you] from the evil one"
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