Godly Hope vs. Positive Thinking

SCRIPTURE: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13) NIV
Today’s scriptural focus does not read, ‘May the God of positive thinking fill you with all joy and peace….!” Our Savior God urges us to hope in Him, because any old “slap-happy Joe (or Jill”), can recommend mere positive thinking—not that there’s inherently anything wrong with thinking positively. It trumps, I am sure, being a pessimist, whose “downward-spiral” thought patterns can be irrecoverable! So what’s the difference between positive thinking and biblical hope? The former is practiced by many natural men and women, that is, those who are still “in Adam,” who major on “positive thinking” and its temporal benefits. Their life’s theme song may very well be “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” that popular 80s song by Bobby McFerrin, or “Happy,” by Pharrell Williams. These songs, while catchy (and “cash cows,” I might add, for the artists who sang them) nonetheless commend a kind of shallow and misplaced optimism,” bereft of a solid foundation. The soul that has a biblical understanding of faith places their hope or trust in God! The spiritually unregenerate, as well as some Christians, are in effect-- and perhaps unintentionally-- trusting in “a lesser god,’ by giving credence to a “false or flimsy optimism.” Alternatively, the person who trusts or hopes in God, avails himself of reliance upon the great “I Am,” or YAHWEH!
If you prefer the adjective of optimist, consider these divine merits of biblical optimism, also known as godly hope, which anchors its trust in the character of God: (1) We children of the King are called to wait patiently for our Father’s deliverances, for hope that is seen is not hope at all. (Rom. 8:24); (2) we’re to remember that He is working all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose; (Romans 8:28), and finally, (3) we’re to remain confident and hopeful in our God because He promises in 1 Peter 5:10 that our trials and tribulations have a “shelf-life,” followed by an eternal glory He has foreordained for us and which He is using to mature us in Christ Jesus; God’s glorious future purposes for us do require some present pain. Given the extensive supreme benefits of Godly hope, mere positive thinking simply cannot compete!
PRAYER: O, Father, inasmuch as You’ve given us in Christ, the Author and Finisher of our faith, a multitude of reasons to persevere in godly hope—what are we doing feeding on a secular concept as spiritually anemic as mere positive thinking?! We’re called, and furthermore chosen, to feed on Your proven faithfulness every day –until faith becomes sight! May we purpose to walk worthily of this Your high calling. In Jesus’ great name we pray and give thanks. Amen!
By Sis. Denise Diggs
If you prefer the adjective of optimist, consider these divine merits of biblical optimism, also known as godly hope, which anchors its trust in the character of God: (1) We children of the King are called to wait patiently for our Father’s deliverances, for hope that is seen is not hope at all. (Rom. 8:24); (2) we’re to remember that He is working all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose; (Romans 8:28), and finally, (3) we’re to remain confident and hopeful in our God because He promises in 1 Peter 5:10 that our trials and tribulations have a “shelf-life,” followed by an eternal glory He has foreordained for us and which He is using to mature us in Christ Jesus; God’s glorious future purposes for us do require some present pain. Given the extensive supreme benefits of Godly hope, mere positive thinking simply cannot compete!
PRAYER: O, Father, inasmuch as You’ve given us in Christ, the Author and Finisher of our faith, a multitude of reasons to persevere in godly hope—what are we doing feeding on a secular concept as spiritually anemic as mere positive thinking?! We’re called, and furthermore chosen, to feed on Your proven faithfulness every day –until faith becomes sight! May we purpose to walk worthily of this Your high calling. In Jesus’ great name we pray and give thanks. Amen!
By Sis. Denise Diggs
Archive
2023
January
MOVING INTO A NEW YEAR AND LEAVING YOUR BAGGAGE BEHINDEncouraging You in the New YearA Veteran StudentAll of God’s Gifts Are Wrapped in JesusThe Gift that Keeps on GivingA Faith That’s Signed and SealedI Remember Grandma (Part I)I Remember Grandma (Part II)Roots Growing DeeperSTANDING IN HIS PEACEBE WARY OF COMPARING! (Part I)BE WARY OF COMPARING! (Part II)TIE A YELLOW RIBBON...[Part I]TIE A YELLOW RIBBON... [Part II]The One That Got Away [Until Now] Part IThe One That Got Away [Until Now] Part IIThe One That Got Away [Until Now] PartWINTER, ALREADY ?! [Part I]WINTER, ALREADY ?! [Part II]HE KNOWS!Godly Hope vs. Positive ThinkingHope DeferredCalled To Endure!The Greatest Expectation!The Ear and Eye GateCourage, Saints!!Getting to Know Him- Little By LittleSame Storm Different Boat pt2The Apron of ServanthoodGetting to Know Him- Little By LittleConfess It as Sin!
February
People Are Laughing Out Loud at My BibleMe, Myself, and I (Depression)I Have to Qualify to Run the RacePreach, Preacher!Does He Know You?LESSONS FROM A LOWLY HOUSECAT (Part I)LESSONS FROM A LOWLY HOUSECAT (Part II)God’s Obedient Wild Kingdom (Part I)God’s Obedient Wild Kingdom (Part II)PRAISE God for WITNESSES!Sock LintSock LintNO GAS! NO BRAKES! SAY WHUT?! (Part I)NO GAS! NO BRAKES! SAY WHUT?! (Part II)THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE (Part I)THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE (Part II)Having The Faith to Favor And Follow A Faithful God (Part I)Having The Faith to Favor And Follow A Faithful God (Part II)MORE THAN 'SUPER,’ MORE THAN 'HERO'!HE IN WE, AND WE IN HE! [where 'we' can also be 'me'] (Part I)HE IN WE, AND WE IN HE! [where 'we' can also be 'me'] (Part II)MAKE FEBRUARY THANKSGIVING HISTORY MONTHTAKE HEED HOW YOU WALKTrust and ObeySpiritual ImmaturityMake It PersonalCain was Able and So are YouClimate Change
March
Loving My SpouseStop! In the Name of Love!Ask Not, Have Not!Beneficial GraceThe Incomparable ChristRECEIVE The CHIEF CORNERSTONE! Part IRECEIVE The CHIEF CORNERSTONE! Part IIDETRIMENTAL DELAYSFootprints On the Mountainside Part IFootprints On the Mountainside Part II...I SMELL SMOKE IN THE AUDITORIUM...The Heartbeat of His HeartThe Wayward and The ObedientThe Potter and His Vessels of ClayGod Can Use Anybody!You’re Canceled!Today’s Assignment!There You Go, Again!I Messed Up!The Worker and The Work!Repent and Obey!God Can Reach Anybody, But Will You?Wonder Working PowerThere is Work for You to Do!Yes, God Does Reveal Himself to Us!Now Hear ThisImperfect, But Usable!Preach the WordGod Can Save AnybodyThe Hard WordThe Message of Salvation from God
3 Comments
Amen Sis. Denise, when all else fails, things look grim, hope in the Lord. Where else can we turn? Our hope and consolation can only be found in Him. Thank you.
Amen! He is our life-line.
Our hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus' blood and righteousness... I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus' name! On Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand! Amen!