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Do you ever notice how 90% of the irritation in your life stems from ridiculous things people post on Facebook? And by ridiculous, I mean stupid.  Half the time I’m researching a fake article on Snopes, mentally spell checking, or wondering if people talk to their mommas with those mouths.  A few days ago a friend posted yet another status that she’s worried about the state the world is in.  Ebola, ISIS, school shootings, I can’t say that I don’t see where she’s coming from.  My issue is the way in which she framed her worries, and how she chose to handle them. Let me explain.

First, posting about the terrible things in this world but doing nothing to help solve them only adds to the problem.  If you’re disgusted by the number of homeless people in your city, then volunteer at a homeless shelter and work to get some of them off the streets.  If you’re up late at night thinking about how awful kids are these days, mentor a couple at your local elementary or just love on your own kids a little extra.  If you feel like the world is coming to an end because there’s so much violence and unrest in the Middle East, write to your Congressman or woman and tell him what you want him or her to do about it.  I’m not interested in hearing what is scaring you at this moment.  I’m interested in hearing what you’re DOING about it.  Because simply throwing it out there that Ebola is the scariest thing in the world to you is just spreading more fear.  It’s feeding the anger, hurt, and resentment in this world.  It’s not finding a solution or constructively working towards a positive outcome.

Secondly, all the time that you spend fretting that the end of times is near is time you’re wasting in your own life that’s happening right before your eyes.  I 100% believe that someday Jesus will return to Earth.  I also 100% believe that no one will be able to predict the exact time and place, so hundreds of thousands of people since the dawn of time have squandered their lives just waiting for it, expecting it, dreading it.  STOP IT.  Live your life to the complete extent you can, with the specific intention that if Jesus comes tomorrow you will have no regrets.  I highly doubt that means simply shutting your doors, locking the deadbolt, and awaiting the apocalypse.  Again, perhaps focusing on saving nonbelievers or reaching the outcasts of society would be a better use of your time and energy.

I understand the irony of complaining about how much people are complaining.  But I make a concerted effort to only post positive messages on social media 99% of the time.  If a personal tragedy occurs, of course I understand discussing that with friends and family.  But simply mulling over global or societal issues that you have little to no control over (ESPECIALLY if you JUST talk about them) is a giant waste of humans’ capacity to create change in my opinion.  Let’s stop worrying, complaining, and groaning.  Let’s DO something.  And then I will hit the “like” button when you post about it on Facebook.  You’re welcome.

XO,

A