8.18.23 Ceiling Fan

There’s that whole idea of “other people’s problems don’t diminish your own.” It’s used, usually, when a person in a privileged position (of which is a very wide spectrum on its own) is encouraged to complain. Because someone will always have it worse, right? Just because someone else has it worse, doesn’t mean we can’t also be hurt, right?

That’s true. But, also, shut up.I say this as someone who could take gold in the First World Olympics. Shut up! <3 Shh <33 Shh Shh <3

No really, shh! <3

Talking to myself… shh <33

Quickly, let me put this in perspective. Here are all the ways in which you might be privileged over others. If you have:

• Arms

• Legs

• A roof

• Food

• Transportation

• Clean water

• Clothes

• Shower 

• Health

• Access to healthcare

• Sight

• Hearing 

• Access to a Bible/church

• Freedom

• Paved roads

• Air conditioning and heating

• Or just windows to open

• Family

• Cognitive ability

• Memory

• Options

• A bed

• Hygiene products

• Education

• Talent

• Friends

amongst an impossibly innumerable amount of other things, you are much better off than much of the world population.

So just shut up <3

First of all, no one cares. If they do, it’s probably because they’re secretly happy to see you struggling. Because you’re privileged, you have so much that so many want, and you’re still unhappy. 

That’s what complaining is, by the way;  it’s an outward confession of discontentment. Discontentment is insane. You will always have something someone wants and you will always want something someone else has.

Second of all, life and death is in the power of the tongue (Psalms 18:21). There are literally demons listening to you complain. LOL, NO, REALLY. They’re listening to you, gathering intel, making your worst-case worse, and then celebrating when they succeed. Their mission? To make you feel discontent. To steal your joy. To convince you that you, your life, your God is not enough. (1 Peter 5:8-10)

Every complaint that falls out of your mouth is a confession to God that you’re ungrateful.

Every complaint that falls out of your mouth is a prayer of thanksgiving to Satan.

No, really. Words matter. You’re either glorying God or you’re glorying what is NOT God. There is no in between.

You’re either preaching God, or you’re preaching what is NOT God. There is no in between.

Still talking to myself.

What are the fruits of​ The Spirit? Love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

What are the fruits of Satan? Hatred, anger, restlessness, jealousy, discontentment, fear, anxiety, greed, obsession, addiction, impatience, competition.

And class (still talking to myself), how do we let the demons in? All together… SIN! That’s right kids, sin!

There are a million ways to sin, but at its heart, it’s just falling short of God’s will for us. It’s as simple as not starting your day with prayer- not because it’s a law, but because it’s a genuine expression of your love and gratitude toward God. It’s the equivalent of starting each day by kissing your spouse good morning. You don’t have to… but it’ll really go a long way in keeping your relationship strong and active. It’s the equivalent of thanking your spouse for cooking dinner or doing the dishes. Sure, it may be the agreement you two have in place, but outwardly expressing that gratitude matters.

[I use the spouse analogy because that’s who we are to Jesus- the church is His bride, He is the bridegroom. The whole purpose of marriage, as created by God, is to mimic the relationship between God and His people. The man provides for, loves and, if necessary, lays down His life for His wife. The wife, in turn, serves with loyalty, love, and thankfulness.]

Watching too much TV. Not reading the Word & meditating on it daily (psalms 1:1-3). Scrolling on your phone. Obsessing over the lives of others. Adultery, murder, oppression, greed, lies, slander. Laziness, gossipping, overeating, arguing, neglecting your responsibilities or loved ones.

So now you’re all in your sin, the demons have been welcomed in, and you’re spiraling. They ate your joy. Stole your future. Shackled you to your past.

Depression, anxiety, fear, discontent-

I saw a post this morning that led me to my keyboard. I went to bed and woke up just feeling unhappy. I get angry with myself when I’m feeling unhappy which leads to more unhappiness. I get angry with impatience, impatient when I’m not seeing worldly results for my efforts. Thankful that God has kept worldly results from me until my spirit can manage them properly. Angry that I know to be thankful but still feel angry.

Lonely is a better word.

Not as lonely as a disabled child staring at the ceiling for the majority of his life.

I saw a post this morning of a ceiling fan. The caption was about a movie that was 6 minutes straight of a ceiling fan. The audience was impatient and angry about the 6 minute shot or nothing but a ceiling fan. And then it revealed that it was the view from the bed of a disabled child. 6 minutes of impatience and anger looking at what a disabled child stares at all day every day.

Anyway, perspective. Can’t believe I allow myself to be discontent, EVER. To be anxious, EVER. To be trippin’, EVER. 

Thank you God for all You Are, All You’ve done and all you give and take from us.

You Are so Good. All of it, every bit, all of You is Good. 

Love you God, thanks for today and yesterday and however many tomorrows you may give me. Amen :D

Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Philippians 2:14-15