The people in the TV commercials are always so happy. I know, I know—they’re actors. But it makes me think of the phrase “shallow positivity.”

Shallow positivity is the idea that we’re supposed to be happy all the time. Although not many of us would agree that we’re supposed to be happy all the time, since we see images of non-stop happiness in so much of our media, we can start to believe that maybe it’s true. Perhaps we quietly start to wonder if there is something wrong with us when we’re sad or hurting. Shallow positivity is “shallow” because it’s all surface. It’s about putting on smiles and posting happy thoughts even though there is much more going on beneath the surface.

If you’re sad all the time, perhaps there is something more serious happening. I encourage you to reach out for help. But being sad some of the time does not mean there’s something inherently wrong with you.

Jesus wept when Lazarus died. He lamented over Jerusalem. He watched many of his disciples abandon him. He experienced betrayal. He cried out in anguish from the cross.

There are times when being “like Jesus” isn’t just about what we say and do, but what we’re experiencing.

Nikos Kazantzakis wrote: “God is the most resplendent face of despair, the most resplendent face of hope.”* I personally wouldn’t use the word ‘despair.’ Instead, I would use ‘pain.’ In the face of God there is both pain and hope.

That’s a more realistic picture of life and discipleship.

Let me offer a reminder of Psalm 34:18: “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Experiencing pain or sadness does not mean God has abandoned you. Nor does it mean you are worse than other people. It just means you’re human.

Pain. But also hope.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.
He saves those who are crushed in spirit.

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Notes:

–The Up Devotional is published 5 days a week (Monday-Friday) and returns on November 20, 2023.

–*Nikos Kazantzakis, Report to Greco (London: Faber and Faber, 1973), 22.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.