Cynics, Skeptics, and Discernment

A cynic is a person who habitually expects things to go wrong, or questions the value or worth of things; a person with a negative, pessimistic, or mistrustful outlook. [oed.com]

A skeptic is a person who doesn’t believe something is true unless they see evidence. Skeptics are doubters — they need to see proof before they will believe. [vocabulary.com]

A jaded person has seen enough of a particular situation to know when to move on and try to find something better, a cynic just has an underlying distrust of everything and therefore will not find anything better.

Discernment is the ability to tell things apart—to separate them, even when they appear to be very similar. People with discernment are able to make keen observations about things. Discernment is often thought to be an ability of those with wisdom or experience. It often involves making a judgment, especially about things that aren’t obvious. For example, it takes discernment to accurately judge someone’s character. [dictionary.com]

All of us have been in a situation where we have lost trust in something (an institution) or someone. How we move forward from that experience is really important.

I have certainly been cynical, skeptical, and/or jaded at different points in my life. And when a certain action brings up a feeling I have felt before, I tend to try to discern what the situation is.

I don’t want to be stuck in one of those modes because it truly is against my general nature. However, there are unhealthy people and unhealthy systems out there. During our lives we are bound to run into a number of them.

They are even in the church!

I won’t get into all the details, but, I have been up close and personal in numerous situations where “people of God” were doing some ugly things.

And somehow, my faith in God’s goodness and purity and love was not damaged.

I am so thankful!

Of course, my faith and trust in people has been affected. So, pardon me if I don’t trust so easily.

Having experiences where you come out a bit cynical, skeptical, or jaded might serve to sharpen your discernment. As long as you don’t get stuck in those places it can help you have empathy when people are there.

Let God use all experiences to grow your faith and understanding.