The Pessimistic, American Christian

It seems that many Christians are getting worried, depressed, and even angry about the direction our country is going in (I know I have). We condemn much of the legislation that is being passed. We ask ourselves things like “what is our country coming to?” and we never miss a chance to criticize our president. The Christian voice in America has, sadly, become the most pessimistic voice in America. The people who have the greatest hope this world can know are the exact same people voicing the most negative opinion our society hears.

If you think about it, it’s very distressing that, here in America, we’re upset over what’s happening. We get mad over a story of the Ten Commandments being removed from government property, when in Iraq Christians are beheaded for confessing Jesus Christ. Here, we think that Christians are being oppressed when they can’t pray in a public school, when in North Korea a short prayer will get you thrown into a prison camp where you will spend the rest of your life. Here, we complain about having a liberal president, while in Cuba a ruthless dictator does whatever he wants to whoever he wants. We have it better here than any Christians in any other part of the world. I’m not writing this to make you feel ashamed. If you know me, you see that I can get pretty worked up over politics myself. I just want to remind you of what I always have to remind myself of: we are blessed.

We aren’t threatened by the government when we go to church. We aren’t dragged into court for sharing the gospel. Maybe we need to read more about the less fortunate Christians around our world. Maybe we need to learn more about what happens to Christians in countries such as China, Cuba, Iraq, North Korea, and many others because we easily forget that God has blessed us and still is abundantly blessing us for things we take for granted.

No matter who’s in office or what laws are being passed, God doesn’t change and His promises don’t become void. We can’t become worried or angry by how the election cycle is going. We shouldn’t be surprised that a woman can marry a woman, or that a man can go into a woman’s bathroom. This world is fallen. People will pervert morality in any way they can. Society doesn’t have a reason to obey the laws Christians do. That is why we are commanded by our Lord and Savior to go preach the good news of salvation to society. And instead of shaking our heads that sin seems to be taking over, remember that God has chosen you to be light in a dark world, to proclaim hope to hopeless people. And always remind yourself that Jesus will come again and we will live forever in His perfect kingdom, under His absolute rule.