Be Done Dwelling

I came across a quote today that perfectly words an idea I've had rolling around in my head for the last few days. The quote is by a woman named Rita Schiano, who says, "Talking about our problems is our greatest addiction.  Break the habit.  Talk about your joys."

I really don't feel that there's any way around it; we have become obsessed with our problems.  Although "complaining" is usually the word that would be used here, I hesitate to write it because the issue is so much greater than that.  Our obsession manifests itself in different ways.  Perhaps rather than constant complaining, you have an issue with constant worrying.  Maybe you are quick to point out the flaws in yourself and never seem to notice the good things.  It's possible that you simply have a very cynical view of the world around you, missing the beauty because you are to busy criticizing.

I have seen this idea of obsession with our problems in so many places lately.  Listening to conversations between myself and my friends, I have realized how quick we are to talk about the things that we are struggling through or that annoy us about society rather than discuss the near constant stream of blessings we experience.  I am often struck by how "prayer requests and praises" are often lopsided with so many requests that the praises often get drowned out.  Don't get me wrong, sharing our issues with one another is a great form of fellowship, but so too is celebration.

And perhaps therein lies the problem.  We have forgotten how to celebrate and say thank you for the things we have received.  We have become complacent towards the freedom and joys of our faith, so that the things we may have once recognized as blessings, we now feel entitled to.

We may love to point out society's flaws, one another's flaws, and even our own flaws, but we have forgotten that we are unworthy.  You see, being unworthy should never be a complaint or a reason for frustration and striving.  Instead, it should be a reason to celebrate all that we have been given in light of our falling short of the standards.

Those who have the humility to realize their own unworthiness will be the ones most aware of their joys.  In Luke 17:11-19, Jesus heals ten men of leprosy when they beg him to "have mercy on us."  Most people know that only one of the men returned to thank Jesus for what he had done, but what fewer people realize is that the man who returned was a Samaritan.  The Jews and Samaritans at the time had a relationship that was beyond strained; they hated one another.  Perhaps that is the reason this leper, rather than any of the others, was the one to return.  He realized the contrast between the treatment he should have expected to get from a Jewish teacher, and what he actually received.

I challenge you today to be aware of your unworthiness, but not to dwell on it.  When we are able to acknowledge our flaws and shortcomings, but hold tightly to the grace of God and the power of the cross, then rather than worrying or complaining, we will be giving glory to God for the remarkable things He has done for us.  After all, there is a time to cry and a time to laugh, a time to grieve and a time to dance.  Let us lay our burdens at the cross and celebrate, singing the words of the old Negro spiritual: "Free at last, free at last, great God almighty, we are free at last."

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