Proverbs 29:7-11 (NIV) The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern. Mockers stir up a city, but the wise turn away anger. If a wise person goes to court with a fool, the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace. The bloodthirsty hate a person of integrity and seek to kill the upright. Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.
Unless you happen to be some kind of hermit living in a hole, the preceding scripture triggers an abundance of examples from recent days in our Nation and around the world. There is no need for me to list specific examples of hatred, greed, and sin; there are already plenty of those swimming around in your head.
Few people recognize the word Pollyanna or understand its intended meaning. Pollyanna was the main character of a 1913 novel by American author Eleanor H. Porter (later becoming a movie in 1920, and still a later Disney version in 1960). Pollyanna made a game of being unfailingly optimistic to the point of refusal to recognize or acknowledge any negativity or difficulty. Being a Pollyanna is not a compliment. Christians are not Pollyannas. We do acknowledge that we are living in a world marred and tainted by hatred, greed, and sin. We are not ignorant of hatred, greed, and sin; we are dismayed by it. Yet we do not allow this to be the central focus of our daily lives.
Unfortunately, all too often we allow hatred, greed, and sin of others to push us into the background. We are too afraid of offending others or causing confrontations, so we fail to speak out and instead shrink back. As Christians we are called to be peacemakers, but working for peace is active not passive. It is hard work, necessary work, work that is unafraid to display the life and love of Christ in all we think, say, or do. Working for peace is bold, unashamed, and never timid or shy. Our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was not a Pollyanna and neither are we.
Psalm 34:14 (NLT) Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
Matthew 5:9 (NLT) God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
Gracious Heavenly Father,
Forgive our complacency regarding hatred, greed, and sin. You provide us with numerous opportunities to boldly and unashamedly display the life and love of Christ in all we think, say, and do. Embolden us to do the hard work, the necessary work, of seeking peace and pursuing it. Remind us that in a world saturated with troubles, Jesus Christ has overcome the world. We are His witnesses; we are His examples of life and love.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
John 16:33 (NIV) I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
The devotional Christians are not Pollyannas appeared first on Write From My Heart at
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Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com
Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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