Or that things will work out on this side of heaven?
When that's not Biblical?
Like ultimatly God's Will will be done and ultimatly God will triumph.
But I'm a little tired of people acting like people are inherently good. That the arch of humanity is an upward swing. That life will get better for everyone.
It sounds nice and is temporarily encouraging but it's dishonest
Agreed.
That's why I like authentic christianity that tells it like it is. I would feel HORRIBLE if I were believing it was going to be great and wonderful here on earth, and if I were waiting for and living for that.
That's why I appreciate my preacher so much. He knows how to acknowledge and address the terribleness of it all without engendering despair about it and creating a "Well, then, we can only wait for heaven, and there's no use in action and fighting in the now on earth" mentality.
No matter how bad people and things are, I'm infusing whatever good I can in my small little circle of influence.
I hold onto these and others:
Romans 12:21
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
John 14: 27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 16:33
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
1 Thess 5:16
Always be joyful.
Nehemiah 8:10
Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve,
for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
Matthew 10:28 (CEV)
Don't be afraid of people. They can kill you, but they cannot harm your soul. Instead, you should fear God who can destroy both your body and your soul in hell.
Romans 8:28-39
28And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to
His purpose.
29For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined
to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;
30and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
31What then shall we say to these things? If God
is for us, who
is against us?
32He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
33Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies;
34who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.
35Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36Just as it is written,
“FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG;
WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.”
37But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.
38For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
39nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
