By Yay Padua-Olmedo
Quotients. You either love or hate them.
We idolize Einstein types for their superb intelligent quotient or IQ, and swoon over people with exceptional emotional intelligence (EQ).
Admirable too if you’ve got these CQ’s: change quotient (ability to manage change), or creative quotient for giftedness in the arts.
Two CQ’s though are better thrown in the trash bin. Forgive me, Jesus, I’ve lately been afflicted with these CQ’s.
I thought they’d easily pass away like the common cold, but they—complaint quotient and criticism quotient— persisted.
I’m not sure exactly when they started bugging me, but they must have encroached round about the recent presidential election. Facebook and the television teemed with vitriol about which camp was lying or telling the truth. These viruses gained their foothold as I had FB for breakfast, watched network news, or chatted about them over coffee with like-minded friends.
This CQ infection has become a phenomenon. One FB friend termed it witchcraft—because how could friends fight over something or someone they didn’t even personally know?
Initially, I thought I could just be an observer, and just pray. But the bugs persisted, and my spiritual immune system snapped.
I had the best intention: share biblical insights about what’s happening—because God’s words can cause people to relent.
Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Afterall, troll-initiated lies and online bullying shouldn’t be allowed to persist, right? That’s what we should do as responsible citizens, right? And we should speak out as concerned and peace-loving people, right?
Didn’t God send Ezekiel (34:1-8) to prophesy against the shepherds of Israel because they’ve “scattered the flock, and with force and severity dominated them?”
The problem though with engaging in word wars is: once in, you wouldn’t know when to back out. Initially, you just want to share appropriate biblical truths to shed light on the country’s situations, plus give your own little comment. I admit, some of my comments have been a bit tart. And those invited tart remarks too from others.
Tart for tart equals tartness (taray) glorified—not God. The anatomy of word wars.
We’ve seen relationships break as friends or family members defended or criticized our new president. This is unprecedented! Tama na!
So, I’m done criticizing, done complaining. Bugs eradicated.
I humbled myself before you and you gave me a firm place to stand. Thank you, Jesus!
Thanks to my husband and my friends who continue to remind me that everything is in God’s hands. We needn’t be afraid because He is still seated on the throne.
That doesn’t mean though that I’ll stop praying and sharing the Word. Jesus is the only hope of our nation. He promised: the government will be on His shoulder!
Thank you Lord for reminding us that whatever is happening in our country, could not be won through barbed words but through your Word and your Spirit—because our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual powers and strongholds in the high places. We bind these forces up, in Jesus’ name! And lift up to You our president. That he may acknowledge You as Savior and Lord; and obey you wholeheartedly—for the glory of Your name.
