Are we as Christians TOO positive?

[RGR]

Okay, first of all, yes we should be joyful in the Lord. We shouldn't be walking around like "ole fuddy-duddies" as I've heard it called either. That's not what I meant.

A bit ago I was cruising Facebook and friend of mine reposted a blog from a popular, shall we say, "happiness" preacher. I found myself talking to my Father about it as I was folding clothes and though perhaps I'm wrong, I sometimes feel like we focus on the positive too much. As much as I love K-Love, their tag line is "Positive and Encouraging." We have preachers on TV that seem more like a Dr. Phil or Oprah Winfrey (or as Charlie Farquheson on Hee Haw called her "Opry Windbag") with a slight Christian slant added in.

I also realize we can't go to an extreme of being "doom and gloom" either, but surely there is a happy medium? How many people are dying and going to Hell while we stay in our own Christian "positive" world? Yes, I'm point a finger at myself also!!! Okay, off of soapbox now.

[ladypeartree]

At this point I am sitting here and all I want to do is cry and cry and cry BUT that would do no one any good and even though I am going through my own " valley of the shadow " at the moment I have ample proof of how great our God is and how He will bring me though this time if I am holding on to Him so... positive you bet.... GOD IS THE MOST POSITIVE LOVE IN THE WORLD AND THE NEXT

[Matthitjah]

RGR,

I'm thinking that were that way because were trying to convince ourselves that there's nothing wrong with the flat spots in our Faith. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with our Faith. It's just the way that were practicing it is all.

peace,

dave

[Guest]

Okay, first of all, yes we should be joyful in the Lord. We shouldn't be walking around like "ole fuddy-duddies" as I've heard it called either. That's not what I meant.

A bit ago I was cruising Facebook and friend of mine reposted a blog from a popular, shall we say, "happiness" preacher. I found myself talking to my Father about it as I was folding clothes and though perhaps I'm wrong, I sometimes feel like we focus on the positive too much. As much as I love K-Love, their tag line is "Positive and Encouraging." We have preachers on TV that seem more like a Dr. Phil or Oprah Winfrey (or as Charlie Farquheson on Hee Haw called her "Opry Windbag") with a slight Christian slant added in.

I also realize we can't go to an extreme of being "doom and gloom" either, but surely there is a happy medium? How many people are dying and going to Hell while we stay in our own Christian "positive" world? Yes, I'm point a finger at myself also!!! Okay, off of soapbox now.

I think sometimes we're great at being in denial. Happiness is okay when you're genuinely happy but it's okay to mourn when you're genuinely grieving. Too many of us don't give ourselves permission to experience the negative emotions when they happen.

I really believe that the joy that is spoke of is that joy within, knowing that we are children of God. The outward circumstances change each day, just as our outward emotions do. I really love reading the Psalms as the writers put it all out on the table before God. And quite a few of those Psalms are not...happy ones...but the difference being is that the writer would always say...I know where my help comes from. I know that personally I've really had a difficult time dealing with my emotions as they come out. I do believe God understands this, and through His Word I hope to learn how to deal with them. I can understand why this thread is here. I once heard a Christian say, if your not walking around with a smile on your face, your not a Christian. I believe that smile is within my heart, not on my face.

Thank you for posting this thread.

God bless,

Randal

[Guest]

Okay, first of all, yes we should be joyful in the Lord. We shouldn't be walking around like "ole fuddy-duddies" as I've heard it called either. That's not what I meant.

A bit ago I was cruising Facebook and friend of mine reposted a blog from a popular, shall we say, "happiness" preacher. I found myself talking to my Father about it as I was folding clothes and though perhaps I'm wrong, I sometimes feel like we focus on the positive too much. As much as I love K-Love, their tag line is "Positive and Encouraging." We have preachers on TV that seem more like a Dr. Phil or Oprah Winfrey (or as Charlie Farquheson on Hee Haw called her "Opry Windbag") with a slight Christian slant added in.

I also realize we can't go to an extreme of being "doom and gloom" either, but surely there is a happy medium? How many people are dying and going to Hell while we stay in our own Christian "positive" world? Yes, I'm point a finger at myself also!!! Okay, off of soapbox now.

I think sometimes we're great at being in denial. Happiness is okay when you're genuinely happy but it's okay to mourn when you're genuinely grieving. Too many of us don't give ourselves permission to experience the negative emotions when they happen.

I really believe that the joy that is spoke of is that joy within, knowing that we are children of God. The outward circumstances change each day, just as our outward emotions do. I really love reading the Psalms as the writers put it all out on the table before God. And quite a few of those Psalms are not...happy ones...but the difference being is that the writer would always say...I know where my help comes from. I know that personally I've really had a difficult time dealing with my emotions as they come out. I do believe God understands this, and through His Word I hope to learn how to deal with them. I can understand why this thread is here. I once heard a Christian say, if your not walking around with a smile on your face, your not a Christian. I believe that smile is within my heart, not on my face.

Thank you for posting this thread.

God bless,

Randal

oops, hit the wrong button but I suppose it's ok,...repeating for emphasis perhaps?

[Fez]

Too much chocolate and not enough steel in our churches today.

Eating chocolate tastes good for a while but results in fat Christians.

It is more palatable "eat" and easier to preach chocolate.

Wielding the sword makes one fit and flattens the abs.....

But sometimes one bleeds.....

And who wants that if it chases people away from church?........

[josephine tomczuk]

i do believe that we should be positive but without going into denial or being ignorant of the problems reality has. i only had to check out david's psalms to see that. in all the crummy stuff happening to him, with all his emotions in play too, he never forgot to look to God and encourage himself in Him. ps 22, Jesus' words on the cross... know the truth, not just what you want hear. that's what is going to set you free.

[RGR]

Too much chocolate and not enough steel in our churches today.

Eating chocolate tastes good for a while but results in fat Christians.

It is more palatable "eat" and easier to preach chocolate.

Wielding the sword makes one fit and flattens the abs.....

But sometimes one bleeds.....

And who wants that if it chases people away from church?........

[Guest man]

Too much chocolate and not enough steel in our churches today.

Eating chocolate tastes good for a while but results in fat Christians.

It is more palatable "eat" and easier to preach chocolate.

Wielding the sword makes one fit and flattens the abs.....

But sometimes one bleeds.....

And who wants that if it chases people away from church?........

The "feel good gospel".

[georgedrw81]

When we fully accept Him we have, do and project a positive light just like Christ did.

Blessings