First world problems in a broken world

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Katy

Member
Jan 16, 2011
81
36
18
#1
So, lately I have spent way too muchtime focusing on me... About how I ate too much last night or howmad I am at myself for not doing the dishes the night before or any other menial thing I didn't do and am angry at myself for. I havelost my 'sense of purpose' and as a result have felt more and moredefeated. I work in an area where my clients suffer from loneliness,depression, anxiety etc. and the common thread among all of them isthat they have been taught, not only in their families, but alsothrough past psychologists and other professionals to focus on self.To spend time getting to know 'what's on the inside',


We as Christians all know that we arecalled to serve, and the beneficial effects this has not only onothers but ourselves. To focus on self (too much) = self loathing.To focus on God and others = a better world. But even in thisknowledge, I still spent a ridiculous amount of time worrying aboutwhat others think of me, or that the problems are too great for me tomake a difference. To the point where lately, I have chosen to donothing. I live in a country where I have the freedom to choose myreligion and have the ability to walk down the street withoutbecoming a victim of violence. I have a roof over my head and I havemore than enough food. Literally millions of people in this world arenot so lucky. Many of these people have not even heard of the gospel! How can I eat so much food to the point of gluttonous, when there are so many people dying of starvation??
I am sure some of you have made enormous sacrifices for Christ. Me.. I will give food to a local food drive, or donate to church but when i think about it, I have never made such a huge sacrifice that I had to go without, or relocate or loose something important.


On these threads, insurmountableamounts of time are spent debating doctrinal differences, or over whothe Antichrist is or whether woman should be preachers or not. Allcompletely interesting subjects (I have spent hours pouring overthem) But imagine if instead of feeding our intellectual minds wefocused on making a positive change? As of ten minutes ago CC has60,248 members, 4.552 that are currently active. Just think of thedifference we could make, in collective prayer or organised charityor just purely more love and discipleship? What difference to theworld can we make if we all come together? All I know is that I personally feel convicted to do more and getting sick of my 'firstworld problems.' Just a thought...

Apologies for the long thread..
 

blue_ladybug

Senior Member
Feb 21, 2014
70,862
9,581
113
#2
Katy, "insurmountable amounts" of time are spent on here in collective prayer. Maybe not ALL DAY, no thats impossible, but certainly every day people worship in prayer on here. God doesnt want to make "huge sacrifices." You donate food to a local foodbank, and thats good. I do that also every few weeks. God will always provide for us, so even if you gave away your last dime, he would watch out for you. He says it is better to give than to receive, and that is surely true. Many times I have given away something I received that I personally didnt like but knew someone else would. I have left money outside for people to find. I give donations to the local church soup kitchens when I eat there. It does'nt matter how much, OR how little a sacrifice you make, as long as you're willing to do it graciously and without feeling grudgeful about it. We all are making a difference in the world in our own ways. :)