Want an Encouraged Attitude?

On most days, the headlines are not encouraging. War, politics, local violence, demeaning social media, inflation and economics, civic spats. Recently, a disciple of Jesus asked me, “How do we cope in these times?” So, I responded with a perspective and attitude that encouraged challenge.

“Paul and the other Apostles led the explosive effect of the Gospel when the religious leaders hated them, and the Roman government hunted and executed them. During the time when arrests and beatings were common because of faith in Christ, the church of Jesus Christ spread like wildfire. They found joy. They considered the cost to be something to embrace. And as they did, they affected the culture wherever they worked, lived, and played.

So, if this time is discouraging, consider the following and thank God for them:

• We live in one of the freest societies on the planet.
• Food is cheaper than in many other places worldwide, and we can shop in any store we choose.
• We can choose how big or small our families are.
• We choose between dozens of churches where we can worship without persecution.
• We have greater mobility than any generation in history.
• We have the most advanced medicines and treatments in history.
• We have incredibly easy access to the Scriptures; most have multiple copies in our homes.
• We are experiencing political tensions in a culture where every single adult citizen has the opportunity to elect our leadership.
• We can always turn social media, the news, our phones, and our email OFF.

So when I think of all these things—as tense as our culture is right now—I know that following Jesus’ lead is still the best possible way to live. He is not intimidated or limited by any of these “Stressful” realities in our culture. On the contrary, He tends to do His boldest work when we feel we are at our weakest!