Yesterday I led a group of pastors in a conversation about cynicism.
I thought I'd touch on it here because cynicism affects all of us.
We all struggle -- at least at times -- to believe anything good can come from our circumstances... especially when they're hard.
We can see this in our quickness to doubt, complain, critique and be suspicious.
I think it's fair to say cynicism has become the dominant spirit of our age.
And it's destructive too... it causes us to lose hope, shut down and give up.
But cynicism need not have the last word!
Cynicism thrives when we treat God as nice but unnecessary... or as nothing but an unseen idea who privately comforts us in our misery.
But that's not who God is!
He's the sovereign Lord who rules heaven and earth... right to the smallest detail.
And He's a personal, loving father who watches over His children, delivering and guiding them into what is good and glorious.
And we know He's such a God because He's intervened in our world by sending His Son... to restore what is broken and make all things new!
So I encourage you...
Shake off any cynicism that blankets you with lethargy and doubt.
And look in faith to the One who really rules the world... and who by His grace has given you something worthwhile to do today.
"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him" (Ps.34:8).