Overcoming Cynicism

Paul Miller writes a great piece in his book, "A Praying Life", about how to overcome cynicism.

Here are 6 principles in overcoming this prevalent problem in our Christian culture.

1.  Jesus tells us to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. What he is saying is that we should always keep the tension of wariness about evil with robust confidence in the goodness of God.
Therefore we can always live with a cautious optimism.

2.  It is so easy to find ourselves caught up with the day to day frustrations and obstacles, that we forget that there is victory in the end.  Therefore we always need to stay in touch with the hope within us. 

3. We should cultivate a childlike spirit.  If we allow the rust of our adult experience to always taint our view our faith can become tainted as well, leaving us vulnerable to cynicism.

4.  We should cultivate more of a thankful spirit.  When we focus on the many ways God has blessed us it crowds out the temptation to be cynical.

5.  It is easy for a cynic to see themselves as a self appointed critic who is insightful and always right.  Therefore the best way to overcome this is to keep a humble heart of repentance.  Instead of explaining away your right to feel the way you do, it is better to find the moment of inward honesty and vulnerability.  

6.  Exercise true forgiveness.  When I am cynical about something it is usually an issue of a wound that I have not truly forgiven.  It is critical that we not brush hurts under the rug.  Often our anger and hurt comes out with a cynical attitude. 

Four Root Idols

Many different people have written about four root idols that all of us struggle.   Here they are:

1. Power:  A longing for influence or recognition

2.  Control:  A longing to have everything go according to my plan

3.  Approval:  A longing to be accepted or desired.

4. Comfort:  A longing for pleasure.

John Calvin has said, "The evil in our desire typically does not lie in what we want, but that we want it too much."

Thomas Chalmers said, "The best way to overcome the world is not with morality or self discipline.  Christians overcome the world by seeing the beauty and excellence of Christ.

Practically speaking we can overcome:

1. Power:   By submitting to his power.

2.  Control :  By surrendering to the one who is ultimately in control

3. Approval:  Recognizing that we have his approval.  Which is most important.

4.  Comfort:  Remembering He is the God of all comfort.

Pastors and/or leaders can suffer from these idols from time to time.  Which one is most likely to occur in your life?