What’s the point?
Does the work I’m doing even matter?
If I didn’t show up tomorrow, would anyone even notice or care?
These are just a few of the questions I’ve heard from clients that reveal the meaninglessness they experience.
What follows these questions only complicates their struggle: I shouldn’t be asking these questions. What’s wrong with my faith? Does this mean I don’t believe enough? What does God want me to pray?
Whenever I hear this, I’m torn.
On the one hand, I’m thankful to know I’m not alone. I have asked these questions myself, and they are heavy questions to hold alone.
On the other hand, I’m saddened because I can feel their anxiety, loneliness, weariness, and pain.
I’m saddened because I know the futile attempts to manage meaninglessness won’t help in the long run: drinking, shopping, sex, working more, reading more, greater zeal to practice spiritual disciplines.
So, why does God allow his followers to experience meaninglessness? If he is as good as he claims to be, why wouldn’t he lift that burden? Especially when we are asking for it to be lifted!
To watch someone struggle and fail to relieve the burden when he could seems to be the exact opposite of love. What gives, God?
I wish I could give a satisfactory answer, but I can’t. I’m not sure why we go through seasons of meaningless, even when we’re doing the “right” things.
But I can speak to the interpretation of meaninglessness.
One way to interpret our experience of meaninglessness is to view it as evidence of a lack of faith. But another option is to view it as an opportunity to grow our faith.
We do that by practicing these three habits…
Let the “meaningless monster” into your home and admit your feelings. Admit to yourself. Admit it to God. Admit it to others. Say it out loud.
Doing so won’t get rid of the feelings, but when you bring your experience out of the dark and into the light, the burden will ease. And you'll be in good company.
The author of Ecclesiastes names this monster right from the start, “Meaningless! Meaningless!..Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless” (Eccl. 1:2).
The prophet Jeremiah utters seemingly blasphemous words in the book of Lamentations. After Jerusalem was destroyed, he says, "My soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is. My endurance has perished and so has my hope from the Lord” (Lam. 3:17-18).
These authors were not shy to admit their struggle. Whatever level of meaninglessness you’re experiencing, the first step is to admit it.
I don’t like winter. Lots of people love the snow and the crisp, bright mornings. Not me. It’s too cold, it’s too windy, and school gets canceled too often.
And there’s nothing I can do about it.
When I accept winter as a given, it helps me endure it. The same is true with seasons of meaninglessness.
At some point, you will experience this season. And like the other four seasons, it is temporary.
In Romans 5:3-5, the apostle Paul reminds us of the need to endure and what happens when we endure.
“We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
Enduring meaninglessness is not a fruitless endeavor. It is the doorway into character and towards hope.
If you want this process to continue, you need to combine endurance with our final habit.
The sun is still out in a rainstorm. Yes, you feel the rain, see the clouds, and search for an umbrella. But remember: the sun is still out. Even when you can’t see it. Both are true.
The same is true with meaninglessness.
Yes, life feels heavy. Yes, you have less energy. Yes, it’s difficult to get out of bed and experience joy and believe the promises of God.
But remember…
Remember Romans 5:5 – God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us (past tense).
Remember Psalm 23:4 – Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me (present tense).
Remember Isaiah 41:10 – So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (future tense).
When life feels meaningless, and it will, admit, endure, and remember.
Practice these habits. Admit your feelings. Endure faithfully. Remember that God is with you and his promises are always true.
Are you struggling with more of life's big questions? Austin answers 5 common questions he gets asked as a counselor. In this blog, you will find meaningful answers and helpful resources to tackle the unknowns in life.