Life’s felt a little chaotic recently,hasn’t it?
“Thank you, Captain Obvious,” is probably your response!
Like probably most if not all of you, I’m ready for 2020 to come to a close. There’s something about a new year looming in just 22 days that brings a sense of hope that things will get better.
And they will- eventually.
However, the start of 2021, I’m afraid, is going to mirror the words of that fantastic group of theological scholars, otherwise known as the Who: “Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss.” There’s going to be much about the start of 2021 that is just like 2020:
- COVID will still be here (and it may get worse).
- The country will remain bitterly divided as the occupant of the White House will be viewed as illegitimate by approximately half the country, whether that happens to be Joe Biden as projected or whether Donald Trump pulls a legal rabbit out of the hat at the last minute.
- Debates about lockdowns, safety measures, and vaccines will continue.
In other words: 2020 is going to end with life feeling out of control and 2021 is going to start the same way.
So where does that leave us? With things feeling uncontrollable around us, is there anything we can do to make it better?
In one sense: No. We can’t change what’s happening around us.
However, in another sense: Yes. In fact, I believe there are four things all of us remain in control of that, regardless of what’s happening in the world, will largely determine whether we effectively navigate our still chaotic world in the days to come.
#1- What I consume.
Here’s what I mean by this: we can control the content we consume. And the content we consume goes a long way in determining our outlook on life.
If you’re feasting on a steady diet of COVID news, the latest political/ legal developments, and comments arguments on your Facebook feed, your outlook is probably going to be pretty bleak. You’re thoughts will be dominated by negativity. Your attitude will trend towards hopelessness. And you’ll have a difficult time respecting others who have a different point of view than you.
I’m not saying we should be uninformed. I’m saying we should know enough to be informed…and then cut it off and replace it with something that breathes life into us.
I’d suggest starting with the Bible. After all, those are God’s words…and, as Peter realized, those are “the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68).
I can’t control what content is out there. But I can definitely choose what I consume. And whether I choose to control or not will depend on how effective I am in controlling…
#2- What I think about.
We so often tend to think on default mode, and it’s often driven by the content we consume.
And if you’re consuming unhealthy content, your thoughts are going to be unhealthy as well. And even when consuming helpful content, your thoughts are still a minefield full of anxiety and despair.
That’s why we have to choose to think on purpose- which, if you’re a follower of Jesus, we’re able to do:
“…we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5)
We can choose what we meditate on in our mind. We don’t have to allow anxiety, fear, and stress run rampant and unchecked through our thinking. We can capture those thoughts, filter them through what Jesus says, and conform our thinking to the truth of God’s Word.
The result?
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)”
And when our minds are at peace instead of in a state of chaos, it makes it much easier to keep a handle on…
#3- My attitude.
Put another way, my attitude is simply the way I approach the world. Am I joyful and optimistic? Hopeless and cynical? Am I on edge or at ease? Am I sour and bitter? Or am I grateful?
What we consume and what we think about tremendously shapes our attitude- which is something you and I can control.
“But I feel so frustrated!”
I get that. Me too.
However- I’m learning that, while I can’t necessarily help what I’m feeling internally, I can certainly help whether or not to display it externally.
I may not be able to help the frustration and stress I feel…but I can certainly help whether I stomp around and make it obvious that I’m irritated, or whether I choose to take a deep breath, trust God that He’s in control, relax my shoulders, put on a smile, and greet the world with a sense of hope and joy.
After all- we’re commanded to be joyful and thankful- always. Those are even described as God’s will for our lives. (1 Thessalonians 5:16,18)
Now: that doesn’t mean putting on a front- at least not to everyone. There should be people that you are fully transparent with and honest about how you’re doing. That’s the only way we ever get to navigate our internal struggles effectively.
We just don’t need to let that out in front of everyone…because if we do, it will hinder our ability to control…
#4- Our treatment of others.
I think there’s a lot of “kicking the cat” going on these days.
We’re frustrated and sick (no pun intended) of COVID and everything related to it. We’re ticked at politicians. We’re angry at people who think about things differently than us. And if we’re consuming rage, thinking about what we’re so frustrated over, and that bleeds into our attitude, then we’re likely to snap at people around us.
People, by the way, who not only have nothing to do with what’s going on…but people who are facing the same struggles that we are.
There is no pandemic or political exception to “love your neighbor as yourself.” Yet it seems so often this year we’ve acted as if the unprecedented circumstances we find ourselves in give us a pass to treat others poorly.
That’s not right.
And yes- we’re frustrated. But…just like we don’t have to let our frustrated attitude out around people, we can also choose whether or not how we’re feeling inside comes out in how we treat people around us.
Regardless of what we feel, we’re always called to treat people with love, kindness, and respect.
And I think if we did that, regardless of what went on around us, not only would we be happier people, our world would be a much better place.
Even when it’s spinning out of control.