"Whatever"



“Whatever” has become a very negative response to someone during a discussion. The Urban Dictionary says that the reply is an indication that you are indifferent or no longer care about the situation. In a conversation between parent and child, the one word answer is probably met with anger and displeasure. Between friends it is probably just shrugged off, but either way, it is not a nice way of reacting.

When Jesus used the word, it was in a very different way than our culture today. He said that He could do nothing by Himself; He could do only what He saw His Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son does also. (John 5:19) He also said, “Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24

In the book of Philippians, Paul uses the word whatever too. He says that whatever happens we should conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. He also declares that we should think on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. And a t the end of the book Paul said that he had learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

But of all the references to the word whatever in the Bible, perhaps the most important reference is in Colossians 3:17, which says And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
 
So the next time someone uses the word “whatever “in a negative way towards me, I’m going to try and remember that my response represents my Father and I want to make Him proud by using kind and gentle words and thanking Him for loving me and saving me.

www.hearthope.org

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