Is it Possible?

In a society where we’re continually bombarded with bad news and negativity, it can sometimes be difficult to keep a positive perspective about things. Today, especially, I think we have to be cautious about these influences or our lives can become one big melting pot of worry. Worry turns to fear, and the fear in turn can be paralyzing.

I don’t bury my head in the sand or slap on my rose-colored glasses to avoid real life issues, but I DO choose how I let certain factors affect me. And yes, I realize things like death, divorce, illness, the economic downturn, job loss, weather events, and a hundred other things are unavoidable and beyond our control.  In these specific instances, we really have to turn them over to God because they are, indeed, God-size problems. (However, we should still pray for discernment regarding OUR choices in handling them.)

I’m thinking more of the daily in-our-face worry contributors: television programing, media hype, office gossip, harsh words, careless acts, misdeeds. It’s enough to send us heading for the hills. What’s a normal person to do?

Well, I guess we’d first have to classify “normal.” Are Christians normal? God’s word tells us we’re a “peculiar people.” We’re to be a “people set apart.”

That doesn’t mean we’re supposed to consider ourselves more than or better than someone else. It’s my belief that means we are to let others see Christ living in us. We’re to be a beacon to those who don’t yet know Him as their personal Savior.  So if we’re constantly anxious and full to the brim with worry, why would an unbeliever be even remotely interested in what Jesus has to offer?

I, personally, try to shun negativity and embrace the sunlight. (Notice I said negativity—the attitude–not necessarily those who have this main character trait.) Though, I must say, it is challenging for me to be around naysayers for hours on end. That doesn’t mean I don’t want to a great friend; it just means that sometimes I may find it necessary to recharge, regroup, and step back a bit until God equips me with some spiritual insight in dealing with the situation. To remain in the presence of darkness for very long is a sure-fire joy-stealer, and one that’s intensely counter-productive.

I love being an encourager, a prayer warrior, a helper, a doer. I love sharing my faith. I also love talking about freedom in Christ.

Is it possible to be a Christian then and not be anxious or never worry? No, in my opinion, it’s not. We’re only human. We fail. We fall short. Life happens and so does its consequences.

For those who believe in Christ, however, we can be comforted by His promises and His unchanging Word. And for those who are burdened by negative forces in their lives, we can pray, we can lead, and we can choose to be an example. The bar’s already been set. It’s high, but then, isn’t that true for anything worthwhile?

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Is there something that makes YOU anxious? How do you choose to handle it?

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A very heartfelt “THANK YOU” to Keli Gwyn this week for making my Romance Writers on the Journey interview a memorable one.