Remember This When You Are Frustrated With This World

Social post after social post has shared perspectives on this week’s happenings in our country and in our world. Perspectives we may or may not agree with. Friend, you can be at ease here, however, because I’m not going to do that. My space here will not be used for such. But, if you’re feeling frustrated with this world or your fellow man or your government or anything else pertaining to life here on earth, you are most certainly not alone.

We continue to be in this together, and I’m thankful we are. I’m grateful we continue to love each other and encourage and bless one another in this space. We need each other!

So, what do we do when we are frustrated with this world or the circumstances in it?

I scrolled through my Twitter feed last evening, and I made the mistake of clicking on a couple of posts regarding this week’s events in our country. After reading the various comments that followed, I became irritated and agitated. A cloud of doom and gloom soon appeared, not only in my mindset, but in my attitude. I closed out of Twitter and sat down to dinner.

I didn’t mean to, but I brought the doom and gloom to the table. As my husband and I discussed what I read and the events of the week over our grilled chicken, his perspective shifted mine. His viewpoint lifted my thoughts to an entirely new plane, and reminded me of truth from scripture.

This world is not our home.

For this world is not our home; we are looking forward to our everlasting home in heaven.

Hebrews 13:14 TLB

Ah, yes. These six worlds calmed my agitated emotions. This world is not our home. I repeated it out loud, “This world is not our home.” Deep down, I already knew this. But in the midst of the headlines, and the images, my social media feeds, I can forget what’s true. Maybe you forget, too.

No, this world is not our home. We are just passing through. So, it’s no wonder we get frustrated with this world. It’s no wonder we feel out of place at times. It’s also no wonder we experience trouble and heartache and pain here. Jesus told us we’ll have trouble in this world.

I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.

John 16:13 MSG

Thank you, Jesus, for conquering this world. We won’t live here forever, and how we live here on earth matters in eternity.

Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul.

1 Peter 2:11 MSG

Just between me and you, I think I’ve gotten a little too cozy here, and I’m thankful the events of this week woke me up to this reality.

So, what now?

What do we do as we wait for our forever home? Do we just bury our heads in the sand and wait? Well, we know the answer to that. No. We get going. We do what God asks us to do. To love Him and love others. To shine God’s light into this world, pointing to the hope we have in Jesus. We live lives that honor God. We make a difference in this world. One day at a time, one moment at a time. Not for our sakes but for others and for God.

What’s one thing you can do today in light of this truth? What difference can you make in this world today?

Me? I’m going to serve others in love today through my writing, through social media, and through my presence.

Friend, if you find yourself frustrated with this world, I pray this truth encourages your heart today. Why not pass this encouragement on to another who needs it? Again, I’m glad we’re in this together.

From one sojourner to another, God bless you!