Whatever

Back in college I worked at a furniture store delivering beds to customers.  For whatever reason, employee morale was always low.  Whenever there was a disagreement among employees, it seemed as if the issue would go on and on until someone in the argument would say “whatever”; As if to say “I’m done with this conversation, I’m moving on.” 

Twenty years ago “whatever” really seemed to be an effective way to end disagreements.  Not only that, the “whatever” response also gave a pseudo edge to the one saying it.  However, the use of “whatever” as a response also gives the idea that the one using it seems to be disrespectful and immature.  The Apostle gives us a better “whatever” response to negative situations in Philippians 4. 

“8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-19 NIV

A word that ended arguments with a negative receives new life when attached to the character of Jesus.  Jesus did not just put an end to negative confrontations; in place of the negative He offered the benefits of truth and goodness.  It’s not just “whatever” to anxious what ifs; it is now “whatever is true”.  It is no longer “whatever” to the over reaction of others; it is now “whatever is noble.”  It is no longer “whatever” to the bad behavior of others; it is now “whatever is pure or lovely or praiseworthy”.  The word “whatever” is an incomplete response to a negative situation if we leave Jesus out of it.  However, when we involve Jesus in all of our responses, we then have the ability to rise above the negative and the anxious and finally then enjoy what so many people desperately want, the peace of God.  Think about such things and the peace of God will be with you. -Vic