Heart Attitudes/ Hope Over Cynicism

Because we live in a world affected by sin, we will have to battle tough questions and hard times. When these things come we must choose hope over cynicism. So, how do we do that? Psalm 43 gives us guidance.

1 Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause
against an ungodly people,
from the deceitful and unjust man
deliver me!
2 For you are the God in whom I take refuge;
why have you rejected me?
Why do I go about mourning
because of the oppression of the enemy?
3 Send out your light and your truth;
let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill
and to your dwelling!
4 Then I will go to the altar of God,
to God my exceeding joy,
and I will praise you with the lyre,
O God, my God.
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.
Psalm 43

 The Psalmist is facing tough times, and this has led to asking hard questions. In my opinion, these are some of the hardest questions a person of faith can ask: "why has God forsaken me?" and "why is my soul downcast and in turmoil?" The Psalmist is on very shaky ground here. These questions can rock the foundation of a person's faith, which can be very scary. And so much depends on how we handle these types of questions and circumstances. Notice a couple things about how he handles this:

 First, he affirms God's goodness—he says verse 2, "For you are the God in whom I take refuge." God is a refuge whether we chose to seek Him as one or not. We may feel—as the Psalmist does here—that He has rejected us, but in reality, God is a refuge for those who seek Him. He is good in this way and that doesn't change with our circumstances or questions. 

 Secondly, the Psalmist let's truth guide His search for answers! He said in verse 3, "Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me." When hard questions come, we must wield the truth of scripture as a light on our path to find answers. 

 Finally, a hopeful heart seeks intimacy with God as it deals with tough times and hard questions. The Psalmist asked for God's truth and light to, "bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling." He expected his search for answers to draw him nearer to God! In my experience as a Christian, I've heard dozens of testimonies from people who say things like, "It was the hardest thing I've ever been through, but it drew me closer to God and strengthened my faith." People who choose hope seek intimacy with God in their searching, and they achieve it.

 So, how do we handle tough times and hard questions? 
How do we choose hope?

 Here's a path forward from Psalm 43:
Affirm what is good about God. 
Seek answers in God's Word.
And pray for greater intimacy with God throughout your journey.

 Lord willing, we will fight back Cynicism and live with hope-filled faith. 

 If you want to dig deeper into this, need help, need prayer, or have questions—please reach out to us here: Roots Help & Prayer Form (https://www.rootscc.com/covid-19-help)

 In Christ, 

 Pastor Kevin