When self-control doesn't apply to feelings

Ever notice that when you are overwhelmed with problems in life, everyone else's problems seem trite? I dealt with this feeling all day today. As Christians, it's far too easy to chalk this up to unselfishness and dismiss our displeasure as pride. We tell ourselves we're being selfish, and chastise ourselves for it. But this doesn't really resolve anything, at least for me it didn't. And, more importantly, this isn't entirely true.

There are some things in life that are far more troubling to us, and they should be. Depression is far more serious than someone's acne. Not having the money to buy food is more troubling than a messy room. Joining the Army is a bigger issue than workplace stress. Attention is not always given to the appropriate need. Sometimes, very simply, the squeaky wheel gets the oil, not the one breaking down.

Perhaps, in childhood, all of us were spoiled and now that we're adults we starve for attention. Perhaps, because of the fall of mankind, we are all inherently sinfully self-centered. Perhaps, because of society, we feel oppressed and desire the right to express ourselves. Whatever the argument against the feeling of not getting what we deserve, there are some situations when no argument is good enough.

The fact is that sometimes we do not get the attention our needs deserve. Sometimes we suffer when we should not. Sometimes we're lonely simply because others have let us down. Sometimes our feelings are valid.

Too often as Christians we do our best to disregard and devalue our feelings in difficult situations. Most of the time, we disregard them for the sake of others, not that they ever asked us to, but because we're "nice people." I, for one, am tired of that. It is an exhausting task because it does not help our problems. Nor does it help theirs, because while they're telling us about their troubles, we're busy being troubled by ours. We can only devalue and disregard our own thoughts and feelings to a certain point. At some point we will be tired enough to ask, "When will the trials I've overcome in life earn me the respect I want?"

Recovering from a broken engagement? Battling severe depression/anxiety? Going to India alone for missions? Standing up for the Gospel in the face of social justice? All of these add up over time, and I guess I'm just tired. I hope they don't sound trite.