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Finding Entertainment in Others Despair

I started drafting this post back when the news broke about Kim Kardashian ending her marriage after just 51 days or something. I like her. I wouldn't call myself a fan, but when all the news came out about who's fault it was, how expected it was, etc, etc, I got a little defensive. Obviously, none of us know the real truth-who's fault it was, how it happened, and why, but does it really matter? I don't think God cares. I think he's just saddened that another marriage had to be lost. When God created Adam and Eve He didn't present Adam's wife to him with the disclaimer, "Here's a wife to keep you company until things fall apart and the next woman comes along." In the same way, He didn't give Eve the "out" by saying, "Eve, have fun with this one until you see something you think you'd be happier with." No, God ordained marriage as a forever thing. One man, one wife, forever. I think God is truly saddened by each marriage that is lost no matter what the reasons are. 


Our society seems to feed off and find entertainment in others despair, in their trials and failures. TV shows are made, articles and books are written, and sometimes even made-for-TV movies are scripted. All because there is a demand for it. How is it that we can find ourselves entertained by someone else's struggles? The statistics of marriage and divorce in the U.S. is staggering, but it doesn't surprise me when many go about the idea of marriage the wrong way. People critique and criticize couples before they even walk down the aisle. Jokes are made about "how long it will last" before the rings are exchanged. Too many people think they can trade in their spouse when they've had enough like they would trade in a car or buy a new wardrobe.  We've taken God's "forever" design for marriage and turned it into our "for now" model of marriage.


The media feeds off of others despair, especially those who are considered famous. But the only reason any of those in media have a job is because of the high demand for that type of garbage. Just think about Tiger Woods for example. Or Jesse James. Millions of people were watching intently to find out how many women the two of them had cheated on their wives with. It's sad. It's pathetic. But until we stop finding entertainment in others despair, the idea of marriage will continue to be a joke to many.


Two others that come to mind are Lindsay Lohan and Casey Anthony. I can't stand either of them, but I don't read articles and articles about their struggles. I don't sit and watch interviews or news stories about the trouble that surrounds them because it only fuels the fire. People seem to be obsessed with what kind of trouble Lindsay is in at the moment; did she make her court date, what she's wearing, is she on drugs. Why is that entertaining? I'm really annoyed at all the recent talk about video diaries surfacing of Casey Anthony; where she is now, what does she look like, etc. I don't care! Why are people giving this the attention?  


OK. Enough ranting. I just thought that was important. Especially how we've skewed the original idea and intent of marriage into something so temporary and fickle. I guess what I wanted to say about not getting caught up in the "entertainment factor" of other people's trials, errors, and hardships turned more into a marriage post!

Comments

  1. Proverbs 17:5 "..those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished."

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