Distress is a natural reaction when life doesn’t go our way. But we get to choose how we will respond going forward. And maturity and love call us to focus on creating a better option instead of merely wasting our time grumbling and complaining about our situation.
To be sure, there are many things not as they should be in this life. And perhaps we’re more sensitive to these injustices in some areas more than others. And maybe we do a duty to shed light on them. But shedding light on issues should be reduced to just complaining about them.
We’re called to shine as light in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. And we don’t shine by simply naming and grumbling about the darkness. We shine by living in the light and doing our part to advance God’s kingdom of light as we navigate life in this world. In other words, we create a better and more attractive option for others to follow. This might be our changing external circumstances whenever possible, or simply showing how to shift our heart attitudes – putting our ultimate hope in the larger story God is telling even when there’s no external change in our situation.
For instance, rather than just complaining about our marriage, the education at our kids’ school, or various public policies, we can consider how God might be calling us to bring more of his light into these situations. Perhaps we offer better solutions, or just demonstrate how to make the most of our situation without losing heart or giving into despair. Either way, we shine as light and become a breath of fresh air for those around us by not caving into mere arguing and bickering.
In the end, courageously name injustices without merely grumbling and complaining. Use the power and grace God has given you to make things better, or to live with a bold hope for the good God is still working out in his story.
Photo by Ricky Turner on Unsplash
