Our world is all about going green these days, as it should always have been. Companies tout that they are green, schools promote their “greenness”, communities declare they are green, and there are even green websites. Hey, let’s face it, it’s cool to be green, and definitely not cool if you’re not.
God designed us to be green. Even from the Garden, He commanded Adam and Eve to care for creation, to be faithful stewards of what they had been given. So, being green is theological- bet you didn’t realize that.
God also designed us to be green emotionally and spiritually. What I mean is He doesn’t want to see us contaminate ourselves with bitterness, envy, harbored anger, jealousy, self centered pride, hostility, hatred, selfish ambition, and other wonderful character building traits to list on a resume or social media profile. Notice I said that we contaminate ourselves- the above emotions are the result of choices that follow the hurt. We all get hurt. Life is hard sometimes, and no one gets a pass. What we do after the hurt is crucial. We actually choose what to do next to deal with the hurt.
If we hold onto the hurt, it continues to injure us, and we end up polluting our spirits because all of our coping choices are toxic. God didn’t intend for us to store up those pains. We weren’t wired for that. Or, we can pour our energy into letting the hurt (and the offender) go, and thereby make choices for green living. We experience God intended stuff like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self control. Those qualities will heal the emotions and mend the broken spirit.
If you’re like me, (and I know I am) I cannot live green emotionally and spiritually in my own strength; I’m broken, living in a fallen existence. I need help. God says, “I’m here. Let Me help you. You are mine, and I want to show you what I intended for you and your life.”
So go green- environmentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Rev. Greg Griffin is a Board Certified Pastoral Counselor and Forgiveness Coach in private practice in Marietta, GA. His specialty is relationship repair and rescue- helping partners, spouses, and parents and their adolescents. He’s also the author of Dungeon Times Survival Guide, and Vital Faith.