Cynical Christians?

Is it OK for a Christian to be cynical?

Is it OK for a Christian to be unhappy?

In general, people weren't too happy in the Bible.  For example, it says "Jesus wept," not "Jesus laughed"!  In Isaiah 53:3, it says Jesus "was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering."  In Ecclesiastes 1:18, we read "For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief."  In II Corinthians chapter 11, Paul says, "I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again.  Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers.  I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked."  We live in a battleground between good and evil, and it's not a pretty sight.  God never promised heaven on earth - he promised heaven in heaven!

So, not only do I think it's OK to be cynical toward the world, I think it's a very reasonable position for a Christian.  We should not be cynical toward God - He's the only one we can count on, and He will come through perfectly for us every time.  We can be sure that He will never hurt or disappoint us.

But, concerning the temporary, fallen world, I've observed the following:

1.  The good guys don't always win.
2.  Sometimes you're going to be treated unfairly without reason.
3.  People are poor judges of character.
4.  Sometimes even the "good" people will be fooled by the "bad" people and believe they are on the "good" side.
5.  "Nobody's gonna give you the benefit of the doubt." -Rockstar Robert Palmer
6.  People are going to be suspicious of your motives.
7.  People won't remember your strong track record when it comes to trusting your judgment.
8.  Nothing is going to go as well, or be as fun or exciting as you think it's going to be.
9.  Material goods will always disappoint you.
10.  "The poor you will always have with you."  -Jesus

You might say, "That's really depressing."  And it is, but remember, we live in a fallen world, this is not heaven, and God never promised it was.  In a way, this knowledge is liberating, because it frees you from worldly pursuits and disappointments.  Putting God first and only, and thinking first and only of Him in every endeavor, and making it your goal to please Him and not the world, is the only path to true peace and happiness, and will diminish the pains of this world.