“These people!” I fumed after reading yet another rant on Facebook. “Why is it so hard to just be kind?” In my anger I hammered out the perfect blog post to address the problem. To share my frustration at the anger and self-righteous rants all over social media right now. I felt compelled to speak out. Set everybody straight.
Until I realized that I was only adding to this unholy fire. My words were targeted towards those who have gotten so wrapped up in this debate that they have lost perspective.
Kind of like me in that moment. Ouch.
Somehow we have come to a place where virtue-signaling has replaced actual virtue. Where shouting our opinions has replaced speaking God’s truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). Where winning an argument is more important than winning the prize of the upward call in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14).
So I thanked God for pointing out my hypocrisy, closed out my rebuttal and opened an email from a friend full of hilarious memes and cartoons about life with Covid. They were just silly, not pointed or snarky, and in laughing at them I realized how much better I felt.
Does this hurting world really need more finger-pointing? More cutting sarcasm and self-righteous rants?
Nope.
Does it need more gentleness? More acceptance and understanding? More laughter?
Yup.
James 3:13 says, “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”
Wisdom is demonstrated by humility – not hubris. And oh, how I want to be wise!
If we really want to make a change in this world, let’s make our words a refuge for the weary and hurting. Instead of signing them up for our causes, let’s take a deep breath, share an encouragement and smile behind our masks.
The world has enough warriors right now. But precious few peacemakers.
Andrea Sanborn 
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