Pathways Press.com

Written by Carey Nieuwhof, a contemporary author, pastor, speaker, and podcaster.

It’s possible, Marcus Aurelius said, to not have an opinion.  In other words, you don’t have to let this (whatever “this” is at the moment) upset you. You don’t have to think something about everything. And that makes perfect sense, especially when it comes to the trivial or relatively unimportant things everyone is worked up about these days.  To rage at traffic, or a flight delay, or at how your sister-in-law messes up the dynamics in your family, what another preacher said last Sunday, or whatever some social media influencer you don’t like is raging on about, rarely does any good.  Social justice aside, the amount of angst you have over many issues rarely changes the outcome. In fact, take it one step further. The amount of angst usually doesn’t change the long-term outcome – it ruins it. Because the other person or situation isn’t changed by your frustration. Most of the time, they don’t even know about it.  Often, you are the only one changed by your frustration, and not for the better. In a letter to a friend, C.S. Lewis wrote: “I doubt if it’s the duty of any private person to fix his mind on ills which he cannot help. This can even become an escape from the works of charity we really can do to those we know.”

Prayer:

Written by James Lowry, a contemporary retired pastor and author. This is from his book “Prayers for the Lord’s Day.”

Lord God, few of us misunderstand you all of the time, but all of us misunderstand you some of the time: Your thoughts on happiness; Your ideas on giving; Your way of making whole. These are not always our ready choices. Give us faith, we pray, to risk a dangerous hope, to be ready to think as you teach, and to act as you lead. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.