Hope and Kindness Win Over Cynicism (and how to avoid becoming a Grumpy Cat)

Watching the confirmation hearings for President Trump’s incoming cabinet tested the quality of the fruit of the Holy Spirit in me. I don’t know, yelling at the TV only a couple of times shows some growth. Maybe.

The career and writings of the new Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, evoked some yelling from several senators during his confirmation hearing. No exaggeration, actual yelling. He was assaulted, in loud volumes with stories of alleged drunken and abusive behavior from “anonymous sources.”

Secretary Hegseth was also lectured about the wrongness of his belief system, but this wasn’t the first time. He was labeled as an “extremist” and not allowed to serve when his national guard unit was called up to work at President Biden’s inauguration. What made him an extremist? He has a Jerusalem cross tattooed on his chest.

 His opening statements in the hearing gave all credit and glory to “Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior.” Some senators took this as a challenge and used their 7 minutes of questioning time to lecture him, scold him for his “extreme” views, and question his morality and integrity, leaving little time for him to answer back.

I felt a steady rise of anger, cynicism, and hopelessness about our government while I watched. The anger and hatred towards Pete were palpable. I don’t know how his wife kept a pleasant look on her face. I was also impressed by Pete’s complete self-control as he listened and spoke hard truths with grace, over and over, never raising his voice or sounding offended.

I began to watch the hearing with different eyes. How come Pete wasn't as cynical and rude as many of those who questioned him?

I think it’s because our new Secretary of Defense has an unobstructed vision of what President Trump expects from the American military and what Pete’s role in that should be.

Based on what Pete said, he spent time with the President, talking and dreaming about the military in such a way that it lit a fire inside the former platoon leader for what could be, given good leadership. This vision kept him from behaving in any way during the hearing that would cause people to wonder about his temperament, stability, and suitability for the job.

He listened quietly with peaceful self-control while his reputation was slandered.

He returned gracious and respectful tones for unkind and disrespectful lectures and questions.

He returned truth for lies and distortions.

Pete spoke passionately and sincerely

but not once did I hear sarcasm or cynicism

in his tone of voice. Not. Once.

I believe his military training, battlefield experience and faith in Christ came together to demonstrate an impressive and admirable attitude under fire.

I watched a living example of what Paul is talking about in Philippians 3:14.

“…with my eyes fixed on the goal I push on to secure the prize of

God’s heavenward call in Christ Jesus.”

How often do I return ugliness for ugliness?

Critical for critical?

Sarcastic and nasty for disrespectful and rude?

Too often. Too often I still choose to breathe in the foul air of the dark powers of the air, as Paul calls them in Ephesians 1, instead of the fragrance of the Holy Spirit and his fruit. I believe that’s why I’m a grumpy cat sometimes.

I also think there’s too many grumpy cats right now in the body of Christ.

We easily lose our focus on who we serve and who we are in Christ. We are given clear vision through the Bible as to what our purpose on earth is and where we will spend our future. We are to be living gospels in a shadowy world and take as many people to heaven with us as we possibly can.

Grumpy cats don’t tend to attract people.

 I want to be known as a hopeful, gracious person. I want to keep my eyes on the clear vision God has placed before me as to how to use my unique giftings and experiences to bring people to Jesus.

People are naturally attracted to hopeful, kind people. So, am I attracting or repelling people today? Secretary Hegseth is a beautiful example of not allowing the negativity of this world to drag him into its pit. I want to be more like him because he looked a lot like Jesus that day.