As the United States forces pull out of Afghanistan, I want to say that I have no problems worth mentioning. I live under a roof. There is more than a few days worth of food in the fridge. Clean water flows from a couple of places INSIDE my house. There is no reason for me to cling to the landing gear of an airplane leaving the country.

How about you? Any grievances you want to mention?

Gas prices are higher than they used to be. Men make more money than women. (Men are physically stronger too.) Some people won’t strap cloth to their faces in public. People are coming down with the flu. Animals are killed and eaten. Your personal pronouns were misused. Rich people are greedy. Poor people are greedy. Trump was terrible. Biden is terrible. Inflation is out of control. Partisan politics are rampant. Racism is rampant. Someone on FB disagrees with you. Life is unfair.

Unless you are planning to risk your life in order to flee this country, I don’t have any sympathy for you. Flying to another country INSIDE of an airplane doesn’t count. If you can afford to buy plane tickets, show some gratitude! And if you’re checking bags, don’t even bother trying to convince me that you’re desperate.

Perspective helps me be content. So many people are suffering in Afghanistan. Civilians and military personnel are dying. My “hardships” are mere inconveniences compared to the horror of war. None of my problems are permanent because Christ made peace with God on my behalf. Christians, you should remember that. The world is looking for hope and you know where to find it.

Pagans, if you’re going to keep rejecting Christ, you might as well grab the wing of the next jet taking off.

“The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.”

– James 1:9