I Don’t Care!

That statement is often heard from us teenagers, is it not? We all say it from time to time, at least––most commonly, when we don’t really mean it. Someone forgets our birthday? I don’t care! We fail a test? I don’t care! A relationship ends? I don’t care! But often, we do care!

People may say they don’t care to avoid dealing with problems, to look tough and resilient, to keep others from asking uncomfortable questions, or to avoid confrontation. You know the excuses. You’ve said it. The honest truth is, we are human and we care!

The only times, perhaps, we may really not care are when a friend offers a peanut butter and banana sandwich or cereal (two terrific choices!), someone spills something on our old paint-ball tee (it’s already stained anyways), or someone calls you and really needs to talk. Besides instances like these, yes…you probably do care.

Go ahead … don’t care!

There is, however, definitely one never-changing, major important reason to honestly and completely say the words I don’t care: when someone criticizes you for serving and pleasing God. We as Christians know that Christ died for us, and we owe our lives to Him (2 Corinthians 5:15), and there is a place for us in eternity with Him (John 14:1-3).

That’s enough reason right there to tell someone who tells us we are strange, “I don’t care!” We are told plainly that we’ll suffer at times (2 Timothy 3:12). (Read about some of Paul’s sufferings in 2 Corinthians 11.) When we look at the big picture, though, we don’t know suffering like Christ did. At any rate, all of us go through times of strengthening; we are presented with situations in which we can make an impact for Christ, or we can follow the world.

So then, what if:

Your classmate laughs at you when you leave an activity to attend Bible class? Say it then. You don’t have to be mean or rude, just simply say, “I don’t care if you laugh.” In fact, invite them to come with you!

Some kids tell you that you are too uptight, and say you need to loosen up and have some fun? You explain to them why you abstain from those harmful, worldly lusts, but they think you “need to grow up,” and “stop being a baby.” Who cares!? If you are following God’s Word, and striving to be “blameless and harmless” in a “crooked and perverse generation” (Phil. 2:15), then you are obeying Him, and that’s all that matters.

You ask to leave work early to go with the youth group to a singing? Your boss says he will cut your pay that day. (Well, you might not want to say, “I don’t care,” out loud…but think it.) Tell him you will take the consequences, because God comes first in your life no matter what!

Now, care!

Girls, when we show the world that we don’t care what they think as long as we are giving it our all to please and serve Him, they notice! We have to take our trials, and allow God to help us turn them into opportunities to take a stand for our Lord. We need to realize that we can’t care if others think negative things about us when we’re obeying His Word. “Count it joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience” (James 1:3–4).

The next time someone makes fun of you or hurts your feelings because you are trying to please Him, remember––this is your chance to stand for Christ and to shine as a light for Him! The following is a well-known verse that we must never forget: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Now that’s something to care about!

By Hannah Smith