It’s About More Than Happiness Now
“The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, ‘O God, forgive me,’ or ‘Help me.'” ~ Billy Graham
I get upset at many televangelists. Of the different groups, one of them that frustrates and angers me is the group that preaches a theology of prosperity. In short, they tell the members that they need to give as much as possible, if not all, to the church leaders because God has promised to give them even more in return. They tell their members that God will bless with prosperity the true believer.
True faith equals wealth? I think not.
True faith equals happiness? I think not.
True faith equals fame? I think not
Whenever someone promises a person something that is rooted in this world as a reward for that person’s faith, the person promising is a liar, pure and simple. If we become firm believers in Christ, our wealth, happiness, or satisfaction in this world are not promised. What is promised by Jesus is eternal life. There, we will find eternal bliss. There, we will find peace. There, we will find blessed health.
It is only in the age to come that we can be assured of all that will make us happy and fulfilled; for, God is the only one who can fulfill us. Billy Graham had a keen understanding of that. He knew that the Christian life was not going to guarantee a constant high. He knew that a believer would face moments of loss, sadness, and even despair. He also knew that, holding on to Christ firmly, we would be able to go through the things that bring us down.
If peace, love, joy, contentment, fulfillment, and/or riches come your way as a believer, well, enjoy them. However, they are not guaranteed. And, by the way, if peace, love, joy, contentment, fulfillment, and/or riches do come your way, make sure to share them with others because there are many other brothers and sisters in Christ who are experience unrest, hatred, discord, unfulfillment, and/or poverty.
If we experience those, hang on to Christ. He will bring us through the lows in our life: if not here, then in the age to come.
FAITH ACTION: Pray for those who allow sadness or discouragement to keep them from drawing closer to the Lord.