I learned a new word: “Doomerism.” It describes a mindset caught in a vortex of pessimism about the way things are headed. Even if those concerns prove true, you can still live a life of joy!
This feeling of perpetual victimhood particularly affects young adults. They have consumed enough commentary to believe economic, political, or environmental collapse are imminent and unavoidable. Some even choose to eschew childbearing because why bring a child into this mess? They live with their parents to save money, put their hope in socialism, and reduce their carbon footprint. But joy escapes them.
Joy escapes anyone who doesn’t understand it. Even the ancient Greek philosophers understood the pursuit of happiness could only be indirect. They thought contentment and joy followed virtue, friendship, and tranquility. They were on the right track, but wait, there’s something better!
A transcendent source of love, joy, and peace exists in this world. It is not philosophy, economics, politics, or the environment. C.S. Lewis wrote, “If you want to get warm you must stand near the fire: if you want to be wet you must get into the water. If you want joy, power, peace, eternal life, you must get close to, or even into, the thing that has them.” The “thing” is, of course, He who has revealed Himself in three Persons. Lewis speaks of being united with God (by faith) and adds, “There is no other way to the happiness for which we were made.”
Let’s be more direct. Jesus understands tribulations and doomerism. He knows about this fallen world that would deny the created order and forget about God. He said, “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). He taught that abiding in Him, obedience, and love are integrally connected. Then he says, “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full” (John 15:11).
Did you see what Jesus did there? He acknowledged that you can have not just a life with some joy, but one full of joy! He didn’t say pursue happiness but pursue God and the things of God. Joy comes from abiding in Him, obeying Him, and loving Him and your neighbor. Jesus wants you to be encouraged, to be set free from doomerism, to have the perspective and experience of joy, despite whatever happens in the world.
Nothing that happens is a surprise to the God of Providence. He has already accounted for it in accomplishing His purposes. He has overcome the world, and in Him, you have too. “These things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves” (John 17:13). This joy says “No!” to doomerism.