As my bio accurately describes me, I’m a starry-eyed girl who sees things through rose-tinted glasses. I love positivity and try to see the beauty in everything. 

So naturally, the romantic in me bought pretty quickly into the “romanticise your life” trend.

Also linked to the “main character” trend, romanticisation is about intentionality and searching for the beauty in everyday things. 

One media outlet describes it this way:

“The main idea is to slow down and make the routine — and sometimes boring — parts of life ‘romantic’.

“The ‘romanticising’ trend also sometimes overlaps with ‘main character’ trends, which encourage people to see themselves as the main character in life, like the hero in a movie.”

Essentially, the whole idea of viewing oneself as a main character is about being a protagonist and an agent of change. 

Both these trends blew up on social media during some of the most devastating months of the pandemic, possibly because it was about looking on the bright side even in bleak situations.

A US-based psychologist who researches people’s relationships with technology was also quoted in a recent article republished by TODAY.

“A main character has a full sense of agency, and what the pandemic took away from us was that sense of agency.”

These romanticising and main character trends are good in the sense that they helped to bring about positivity and hope during the grimmest of times.

But yet it made me wonder: How would they fit in the Christian context?

Explore the biblical perspective

With a sense of agency comes a sense of the self-made. Sometimes, this sense of empowerment can lead us to develop an inflated sense of self. 

As such, we need to be mindful of falling into the trap of pride.

If we take a look at the Bible, we would probably come to realise that we’re not the main characters. 

Even significant spiritual giants like Moses and Elijah were not the heroes of the Bible.

All the age-old prophecies in the Old Testament point to Jesus whom we finally meet in the New Testament. In the grand scheme of things, He’s the real hero! 

With every book of the Bible testifying of God, it’s no surprise that God is the main character and driving force of the entire story.

At best, we’re supporting lead characters.

We need to recognise that doing what God has purposed for us to do is merely our duty, and we should not claim the glory for ourselves.

It’s not because of our own worthiness that He accomplishes things through us!

So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’” (Luke 17:10)

Expect trials 

But that’s not all. Every supporting lead character in the Bible had to go through a trial of some sort.

In addition to the classic example of Job, David had to fight countless battles and the disciples were persecuted unto death for their faith.

Even the main character, Jesus Himself, was not spared the pain of crucifixion. 

If God’s people and even His Son had to go through difficulties, we’re unlikely to be spared either. 

Jesus never promised us an easy life. On the contrary, He tells us that we will have trouble in this world.

Jesus assures us to take heart in the knowledge that He has already overcome, so that in Him we may have peace.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

So, how can we still look on the bright side through a Christian perspective?

Embrace them

Trials are inevitable and are, in fact, imperative in refining us. They are a time of preparation. 

Instead of complaining and spiralling down into negativity when they arise, why not try being like Job?

In the midst of his extreme pain, he declares that when God has tested him, he shall come forth as gold. (Job 23:10)

We can similarly learn to face trials with good grace, and even rejoice because these challenges mould our character and make us stronger. 

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. (James 1:2-3)

Finally, though we may not be the main characters, that does not mean that we’re of little significance or that we can’t be agents of change.

It’s so amazing to know how special we are to God that He would ordain all our days before they even come to pass.

Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139:16)

Realising that He has a plan for each and every one of us gives us a renewed sense of purpose-driven living, knowing that what we do for God is indeed impactful in the larger context!

Though God is the real main character, we can be assured that He has good plans for His children.

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)

Don’t forget that our ultimate hope is still in Christ! And by His grace, may He be the one to fill us with overflowing hope.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)