"The Fault in Our Stars"

I recently read a book by John Green entitled, "The Fault in Our Stars." If you've heard of it, which I'm sure you have, you'll more than likely know that it is a book about a teenage girl, Hazel, with terminal cancer. I recommend it. But, before I talk about the book, there is something you should know about me. I like sad stories. It doesn't just stop there, though. I like sad songs and movies, as well. It's something I've tried to figure out for a while, and I haven't exactly pinpointed the reason. I figure it has something to do with the cathartic nature of semi-depressing tales, or maybe it's simply because there is something beautiful to be said about a story woven throughout the tragedies that we face in our lives each day.

Something like that.

Whatever the issue, when I read the summary inside of the book jacket, I immediately thought this was a book I'd want to read, but not because it seemed sad. I wanted to read it because it didn't seem like a cliche' tragedy, and it wasn't. It was written with wit and with thought. The main character, Hazel, didn't look at life with the regard that she should, "live like it's your last day." She just lived like she normally would. I found that interesting...she never tried to be overtly optimistic or try to find the plus side of cancer (though she does talk often and very humorously about "Cancer Perks"). Instead, she faced the fact that she was dying, and that she was too young, but that it was okay. 

There is this really awesome quote that was repeated several times throughout the book, and I believe it's something that should be pondered. The quote goes like this:

I mean, it makes total sense, right? This seems like a no-brainer, but often I think people, especially Christians, try to ignore pain. I can clearly remember a time when I did this. I don't remember what the specific cause of my pain was, but when I was retelling the story, I shrugged it off. I was admired for "letting it roll off my shoulders." At the time, I thought that was great, and I still do. Sometimes people over-analyze little things and harbor a pain that was never intended. I don't believe that's right. In this case, it was some silly remark, and it was better that I let it go.

The problem is, so often Christians get caught in that roll-off-your-shoulders mentality. We try to put on a chipper face and ignore the truly hurtful things. But, alas, pain demands to be felt. We forget that it is completely okay to hurt. The important thing is not controlling that hurt, but choosing what to do with it. Don't allow your hurt to transform into anger or depression, but let it be felt. It will come out sooner or later, and the longer you let it reside in you, the easier it will be to let it consume you.