Think before you rant

In the wake of last week's presidential election, social media sites are ablaze with emotional outbursts from the millions of Americans who ache to put in their two cents. Everyone is in reactionary mode, their keyboards spewing superlatives over circumstances that have been deemed either unacceptable, unexpected, or undeniable. Those who resisted commenting on the election are now finding themselves provoked to defend their beliefs against the "ranters."

You know the ranters. You know if you are one of them. Ranters are those people who find it necessary to convert the majority of their private thoughts into social media posts. There are many excuses reasons for public ranting: hope of persuasion, freedom of expression, show of superiority, loneliness, outlet for anger, and the list goes on and on. I think we can all admit that we've fallen victim to ranting at one time or another, even if we managed to abstain from recent political arguments.

One thing I noticed today about ranting: it alienates people.

Have you ever ranted about something that was important to you on Facebook, subconsciously hoping to win over some "lost souls" to your cause? Maybe, if just one or two people thought you made a really awesome point, the seed might be planted in their minds toward change. Every "like" or "love" that flowed in really bolstered your self-esteem, didn't it?

Now think about this.

How many people did you alienate with your words?

When you commented on something to the tune of, "People who think or do or say such-and-such are not okay in my book" (and you definitely had a few specific names in mind when you wrote it), did you stop to think that you were pushing those people further away from you?

Lately I've been very hurt and very alienated by the words of loved and respected ones that were not necessarily meant for me. While dear ones yearned for the online world to know their thoughts, I was struck by how much they valued their "freedom of speech" over their personal relationships with me.

The truly ironic part of it is how strong the outcry has been recently for equality of every kind; for inclusion; for tolerance; for hospitality; for kindness; for generosity. But the same people who rally for peace also make it very clear that my opinions and feelings are not valid. We must accept the outliers and anomalies of society, but because I align with the majority of Americans, I must be a narrow-minded bigot by default. As a believer in Christ, I have to accept that this will always be the case and that it will only grow worse over time. But that doesn't really make it hurt any less.

I'm encouraging you today to consider your tweets and your Facebook posts and do a little introspective work. Who have you alienated today with your words? Strive to be the voice of real peace, who seeks to include rather than to divide. Strive to serve others by showing that you care for your relationships more than the opportunity to speak your mind. At the end of the day, people's opinions are what they are, but relationships can be torn apart by a few hurtful phrases. Are you willing to put your most valued relationships at risk?

There is one whose rash words are like a sword thrust, 
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Proverbs 12:18

One way or another, God

I sit on my couch this morning after Mookie goes down for his nap, and I say to myself, "Yes. Now. I will get something done!" I say this almost every morning during nap time. I open up my laptop, check my email (all junk), and quickly rule out the tantalizing option of catching up on the TV show I missed last night. I need to work. There are a myriad of tasks on which to spread my focus:
             
                                                                   work on my novel
            design a marketing product for my employer
                                                                            hammer away at low-paying transcription jobs
                     brainstorm Christmas gift ideas
                                                                    write a blog post
                               earn some points on Swagbucks
                                                                                                        browse eBay for shoes
                                                write a letter to my credit card company
                    check my bank account balance
                                                                                             look for recipes for supper

Nothing sounds tempting. My mind is a screen full of dozens of open tabs, each begging to be addressed. One keeps blinking: Small paycheck this week. I haven't had much work lately and I feel preoccupied with finding ways to earn more money. I say a quick prayer, asking God for the 849th time to PLEASE send some design jobs my way. "I promise, Lord, I'm ready to work hard. I just need something to work ON." Another tab flashes: Out of diapers. Toddler has diarrhea. Only $1 in my wallet. I start to worry about where I will come up with five bucks in the next few hours to buy a pack of diapers at the grocery store. Maybe I have enough change?

"God, I'm ready for that job now. Here I am. Just send it on over. See how obedient I am, sitting here with my game face on and ready to give it 110%?"

An overwhelming part of me believes that my financial problems stem from a lack of obedience to God, or a spirit of laziness on my part. My brain tells me that He is punishing me over and over for not being a better steward of His resources. I am suffering the consequences one hundred fold, regardless of how frequently or fervently I repent. The bible says that God's forgiveness of my sin utterly blots it out, but because I know that He is omniscient, can He truly forget that I have done wrong?

Uh oh. That's dangerous ground - accusing God of holding a grudge.

My brain is paralyzed under the strain of a mental stalemate: I want to work hard, but maybe God doesn't want my effort.

You see, I'm a fixer. A problem-solver. A troubleshooter. Every particle of my being cries out to repair any flaw it finds within or outside of itself. Are you poor? Work harder. Are you lonely? Reach out to some friends. Are you depressed? Seek medication and counseling. Are you fat? Get your butt of the couch and do some Zumba! My human nature is to DO. Especially in our American culture, it's a real shame and a travesty to be caught looking lazy or unmotivated. We've been taught that we can achieve anything we put our minds to, so we don't leave room for God to work in us and for us.

One of my favorite bible verses comes from the Psalms, and it is very short and sweet: "Be still and know that I am God." Be still?!? God wants me to stop DOING. I need to stop trying so hard to prove myself to Him, as if I could possibly earn even a speck of grace. That is a hard lesson for an American: you cannot earn God's grace. 

The best I can do is prepare myself to do the Lord's work when He gives it to me, and to recognize it when it comes. Other than that, all He asks is that I trust Him. One way or another, we will survive the diaper shortage. One way or another, we will have enough to pay our bills. One way or another, Christmas will be a joyous occasion.

One way or another, God has provided and will always provide for my needs.

Ebenezer and Jehovah Jireh.