Gospel Gab: Overcoming the worries of the world

Ava Hicks | Opinion Staff Writer

Your income. The number on the scale. The amount of years you have been on this Earth. Each earned grade on an exam, all calculating up to your ominous grade point average.

There is a common theme among these elements: they all depict numbers that society uses to define and categorize an individual. Simple figures that were designed to help facilitate people’s’ lives have become a way for the public to slap a label on them. Because of this, we often end up judging our own self-worth based on how adequately we achieve the number deemed acceptable.

Though expectations and standards set forth by the media are much to blame, a lot of this can be blamed on our personal actions and the ways in which we fuel our own classification. Consider the common obsession with social media and how many people are overly concerned with the number of likes or followers they have.

From an outside perspective, this fixation seems frivolous and hardly worth giving a second thought. But it is the affirmation of worth and sense of security that ensues with every click of the “like” button that incites the desire for digital attention.

The same premise applies to the prominent fascination with weight loss and the diet industry in our nation. People become so wrapped up in achieving a certain goal weight or consuming a specific number of calories that they begin to base their value upon reaching this target.

We should not let such earthly cravings dictate our thoughts and our lives. This yearning for acceptance through the attainment of a certain number will never satisfy our aching insecurities.

The only way to truly quench this thirst is by achieving the salvation of your heart through Jesus Christ. There are no requirements or limitations to His love, for from the moment you are conceived, you are unconditionally and exhaustively loved by the Lord.

Whereas society often makes you feel inferior or unworthy because of absurd standards, you will always be entirely sufficient in the kingdom of Christ.

Romans 8:37-39 says, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

This verse is so powerful because it is a perfect example of the unfailing nature of God’s love. It clearly states that no matter of circumstance, fault or action can diminish this devotion.

The idea of being anxious over things such as the number on the scale or the amount of followers you have seems absolutely ridiculous when considering this gospel truth. All of our trivial, mundane worries are completely negated once we accept Jesus Christ into our hearts and wholeheartedly believe that through Him, we are ample and beloved.