Where Real Hope Is Found

And Living in the Spiritual Tension of the Now-and-Not-Yet

I once worked for a company that sold Christian-themed products like teacups, journals, necklaces, wall art, and more. There is no such thing, of course, as a “Christian teacup” but most of the products were beautifully designed with encouraging Bible verses on them.

One of the perks of working for this company was that, in addition to my wage, I received $100 in credit every month to purchase their products. At first this was fun. I enjoy writing in journals, and it’s fun when your journal is so elegantly designed. Besides, who doesn’t love a pretty new mug?

But after a while, my home was overflowing with . . . stuff.

It was pretty stuff, but honestly, it felt excessive. So I started using that $100 in monthly store credit to purchase gifts for friends. This was more fun, but over time something else became apparent. The same Bible verses were being used over and over again on the products.

I started calling them the “happy verses” in the Bible — you know, the ones that speak positive encouragement. For example:

• “Be strong and courageous . . . for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

• “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:4)

• “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

• “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” (Proverbs 16:24)

• “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

• “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Every Bible verse speaks truth, but most were written with a plural “you,” not a singular “you.” They were written to a certain people in a certain time and place, so it’s important we examine these passages within their given context. If we pull them out of the Bible and focus on them individually, then we end up with what I call the Positivity Gospel.