What are the Thetics?

In my opinion, two traits seem common in today’s society.

The first is empathy, and the second apathy. While the words are very similar, they could not have more different meanings.

Being empathetic means you resonate with others’ emotions.

If you’re an empath you can almost literally feel what other people are feeling. If someone is happy, you’re happy. If someone is hurting, you hurt with them. In essence, your mood is influenced by the mood of those around you.

Being apathetic means you’re indifferent to others.

Apathy is a lack of care or enthusiasm for anyone or anything. When you’re apathetic, it’s almost like you’re living life in third person, not caring what happens.

Both of these traits have their strengths and weaknesses, not just in life but also in writing.

Empathy allows you to connect with your characters and ideas on a much deeper level. However, if you get too attached to a book or protagonist of yours, rejection can leave you permanently scarred.

Apathy works in reverse. A lack of caring about your characters and stories can result in serious holes in your writing. But when facing rejection, you’ll end up indifferent.

Nonetheless, both roads can lead to the same result.

Either path can end up with you getting nowhere in writing, feeling depressed, and having your life “fall apart”. On one side you often invest all your strength in something, while on the other you invest next to none of it.

As children of God we’re called to love others and to “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15 NIV). We’re actually instructed to share our feelings with others and to resonate with them.

Empathy isn’t a bad thing.

Understanding people and connecting with them is critically important to life. It’s when we get too invested that it can become an issue. But when used effectively, empathy is an incredible tool for sharing Jesus’ message.

Some say apathy can be a strength. Maybe in a few areas that’s true, but in the long run, it isn’t beneficial. If you don’t care in the slightest about others, how can you spread Jesus’ message to a broken world?

The “whatevers” that teens give today are just a small sign of an increasingly apathetic nation, towards God in particular. Next to no one thinks He matters. This is the devil’s latest and greatest trap. Satan knows Christians’ biggest strength is their love, so he’s striving to replace that with a lack of all emotion.

Each thetic has its unique “challenges” and “strengths”.

However – when used for our own aims – they can both lead down the same dark road. Emotions are one of our most powerful – and perilous – assets, due to their volatile nature. When wielded by humans, they’re a landmine waiting to blow. When wielded by God, they’re a tool for His glory.

Empathy vs. Apathy.

Similar words, entirely different meanings. Which road do you think you’re on right now, and are you willing to give your feelings (or lack of) to God?

He is the One who knows more than anyone who you are on the inside, and wants to lead you down a prosperous path. One that will give you not only a future, but a hope as well. And when you think of it, hope is one of the best ways to counter apathy.

Whether you’re empathetic or apathetic, are you willing to surrender yourself and your feelings to God?

Jesus is the only One who has ever been able to utterly master emotions. Try as we might, we never will. As we enter the Christmas season, are you willing to hand control over to the true King?

Whether your emotions control too much of your life or too little, Jesus has the solution.

Who will be the master of your feelings?