Beating CynicismSample

You Know Too Much

So exactly how do you go from idealistic to cynical in just a few short years? 

While it sounds unlikely, knowledge is often the culprit. The more you know, the easier it is to become cynical. 

Solomon ran into this in a profound way. Widely renowned as the wisest and most knowledgeable person alive in his day, as we see in Ecclesiastes, Solomon drew this conclusion: “The greater my wisdom, the greater my grief. To increase knowledge only increases sorrow.” 

Not exactly the most inspirational thing you’ve ever read. While that verse may make for an awkward social media post, the insight itself is quite helpful.

Why? Well, Solomon gets to the heart of why ignorance is bliss. When you were young, you didn’t know life could be as hard as it is, or that people can be as bad as they are. To be blunt, you and I were kind of dumb when we were young and optimistic.

But now you’ve experienced the heartbreak, betrayals, and backstabbing that life brings. Now you understand that people will let you down. You know that love hurts. You realize that people are fickle and selfish. You recognize that not everyone succeeds, despite good intentions and best efforts. The longer you live, the more you know. Which is why cynicism and age are frequent companions. 

Today, spend some time praying over the things and people who have hurt you. Identify what has made you lose hope, and bring it to God, whom we know as the God of hope.

Cynicism starts with knowledge, and unchecked, cynicism will keep advancing. Identifying its source can help you change course. 

Pray: Lord, I have discovered so much that’s broken my heart. Today, I want to bring these things (and people) before you ___________________________ (talk to God about what’s hurt you). Lord, I know that in you there is healing, and I offer up these things I know that have made my heart hard. I ask you to begin the healing. Amen