Sophmore Speaks out against apathetic attitude

“I’m so tired I just want to go home,” is a common saying in the FC halls. Most all of us have been guilty of using this statement or similar statements in our daily lives. In fact, it has become the equivalent of a conversation starter and socially acceptable, if not expected.

However, most do not realize the dangers of an apathetic attitude and the effect such an attitude may have on our family, friends and faith. Although many have an valid excuse for their apathy (especially with the stressfulness of the upcoming holiday season), these attitudes degrade both the individual and those around them.

This general lack of interest and passion for the activities we pursue is like a cancer. It infects not only the individual, but the whole student body and like any sickness can be fatal if not properly treated.

From a Biblical standpoint, God calls Christians to be engaged and passionate about their faith. An attitude of indifference certainty does not comply with this view.

Rather those who suffer with apathy often tend to live a self oriented life. In Revelation 3:15-16 NIV God specifically warns against an lukewarm (apathetic) Christian.

“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold?I am about to spit you out of my mouth,” Revelation 3:15-16 NIV.

In order to treat apathy one must first diagnose its origin. The reasons for these feeling are different for each person and may be a combination of several factors.

Some may be susceptible to apathy because of excessive stress in their daily lives. This level of mental, social or even physical fatigue can wear away at our frame of mind and drain us of vitality.

Others become apathetic simply because they feel pressured to do so by the public atmosphere. Although honest attempts may be made to be positive, we are often persuaded to act differently by those whose opinion matters to us. Besides this, one may not want to draw attention to themselves and a positive attitude often puts one in the spotlight.

Still others fall prey to apathy because of underlying factors at home or in their personal lives. These conditions may cause a person to lose hope in others and in themselves.

Although we cannot control our circumstances, we can control our attitudes. Rather than immediately responding with negativity to hardships, people should acknowledge the benefits of the situation. Thankfulness goes hand in hand with a joyful attitude.

Charles Swindol an evangelical pastor highlights this idea of attitude over circumstance in his poem “Attitude”.

“The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we embrace for that day,” Swindol said. “We cannot change our past . . . We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play the one string we have, and that is our attitude . . .”

Apathy literally results from feeling sorry about oneself. Often we get caught up in our own struggles and fail to acknowledge the importance of others.

As Americans we are already blessed with many privileges that the rest of the world does not have. Also as students on campus enjoy freedom in our speech and the right to worship in school. Most of us have something that others do not. Thankfulness humbles us and creates a spirit of gratefulness that overwhelms any traces of apathy.

There is an infinity of cures for apathy, but in my opinion one of the best is asking God for his guidance. I believe that we must understand that we can do nothing on our own.

Rather than grit our teeth and swear to positivity we should humble ourselves and try to do God?s will. 1 John 5:14-15 acknowledges the power of prayer.

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: That is we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us?whatever we ask?we know that we have what we asked of him,” 1 John 5:14-15 NIV.

Also, one should consider spending time with individuals who have a more positive mindset. This is not to say that one should completely abandon those who act less then positive. On the contrary, we should unite together and work to encourage them.

However, as social creatures we often follow the lead of others. Therefore positive friends and role models are important.

Above all, we must remember our motivation for our positivity. It is not to feel happy, or gain self worth, although these attributes most often come with positivity. Our main goal should be to glorify God with whatever we do.

If this is our mindset we should have passion for life and a desire to spread Gods love to others. Everyday each of us has the power to affect the lives of others through apathy or positivity. The choice is ours.

For more opinions, read the Dec. 2 article, Sophomore weighs pros and cons of Obamacare.

Follow The Feather via Twitter and Instagram: @thefeather and @thefeatheronlilne. This writer can be reached via Twitter: @skylerklee.