On Barnabas and Karen

Life can be frustrating and even discouraging.

We experience these negative emotions because our gaze is not set where it ought to be: on Christ. When we focus on our circumstances and forget about the One who paid it all, we often forget what we, as Christians, are called to.

Today, I want to tell you about two people whom you have most assuredly encountered at some point in the last few days—one who is encouraging (Barnabas) and one who is discouraging (Karen)—to explore why our Christian calling is to be like the former, a true source of encouragement, rather than the latter.

In today’s culture, certain types of people capture the all too common cantankerous attitudes that seem to pop up more and more frequently. One figure that has become an integral part of many a meme is the person people call a “Karen.” While the name itself can become an unfair stereotype for some, the underlying spirit it represents is something we, as Christians, must consider. Karen focuses almost entirely on what she can see and touch—the temporary, the immediate, and what is best for “me.”

This focus often causes obvious harm to spiritual peace, church unity, and our Christian witness. If we let the way of Karen grow in ourselves or in the church, we fail to adhere to that which Scripture tells us: to fix our eyes on that which lasts forever.

More than just an internet joke, Karenism points to a real spiritual sickness, a habit of constant complaining, feeling entitled, and a tendency to blow up arguments over things that, in light of eternity, do not matter. Its insidious negativity poisons relationships and causes division, always suspecting others and seeking to justify oneself. Behaving this way often leads to deep spiritual frustration because, let’s face it, the world and its ways are naturally flawed and full of things that will annoy us.

The Apostle Paul gives us a great way to understand this wrong focus:

¹⁶ So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, ¹⁸ as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. —2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (emphasis mine)1

The spirit we see in the “Karen” type is deeply tied to “things that are seen.” Sadly, those who fall prey to this way of thinking lose sight of the “eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.”

When a believer’s spiritual sight is limited like this, stuck on what is seen, temporary, and earthly, the results are always harmful to their spiritual life. Focusing on temporary things breeds bitterness and discouragement. Who are we that we think we should avoid all discomfort when our Lord suffered the greatest discomfort on the cross on our behalf? Resentment festers and grows as unmet expectations pile up. This spiritual blindness actively gets in the way of spiritual growth, because real growth in Christ requires looking beyond ourselves and our immediate comforts towards Christ and His eternal kingdom. Karenism starves the “inner self” that Paul talks about, the part of us that is renewed by focusing on what is unseen.

Perhaps worst of all, this constant focus on the physical world seriously harms the collective Christian witness of the Church. To a world already drowning in negativity, complaining, and self-centeredness, a Christian who acts the same way offers nothing that might point to the saving power of the Gospel. Instead of showing the patience, grace, and supernatural peace of Christ, Karen risks becoming, as Paul said, a “noisy gong or a clanging cymbal” (1 Corinthians 13:1), just adding to the noise instead of offering a beautiful testimony to God's saving truth. Personal faith, in this state, becomes weak and easily shaken by circumstances because it is built on shifting sands rather than the solid rock of God's eternal promises.

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In stark contrast to a Karen consumed by the temporal, Scripture presents figures who embody a way centered on encouragement and a focus on eternal realities. Barnabas, whose name means “Son of Encouragement” (Acts 4:36), illustrates one who fixes his eyes “not [on] things that are seen,” but on “things that are unseen” (2 Corinthians 4:18).

The character of Barnabas shines through his actions, revealing a heart attuned to God’s work. His generous spirit is first evident when he sells a field and lays the money at the apostles’ feet (Acts 4:37), demonstrating his detachment from earthly possessions and a focus on the Church’s greater needs. Later, Barnabas courageously “brought [the newly converted Saul] to the apostles,” vouching for his conversion (Acts 9:27). Barnabas looked beyond Saul’s fearsome past (the “seen” reputation) to God’s transforming grace (the “unseen” spiritual reality), seeing potential where others saw peril.

His gift for encouragement is further highlighted with the Gentile conversions in Antioch when the Jerusalem church sent him:

²³ When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, ²⁴ for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. —Acts 11:23-24 (emphasis mine)

He rejoiced in God’s grace, exhorting new believers to persevere! When was the last time you rejoiced in God’s grace so much that you were driven to exhortation? I ask you as much as I ask myself. Further, the text links his encouragement directly to his spiritual character (Acts 11:24). It was a fruit of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling, greatly enriching and deepening his faith.

Even in disagreement, Barnabas’s encouraging spirit is evident. When a sharp dispute arose with Paul over taking John Mark on a missionary journey—Mark having previously deserted them—Barnabas insisted on giving him another chance. In the end, he parted ways with Paul to mentor Mark (Acts 15:37-39). Not to speak ill of Paul or to suggest that he was wrong, but Barnabas committed himself to John Mark’s restoration, looking beyond past failures (“seen”) to future potential (“unseen” redemption).

Barnabas’s entire approach to life exemplifies 2 Corinthians 4:16-18. His generosity, joy in God’s work, and commitment to restoring the fallen all point to his eternal perspective. He did not let fear, suspicion, or past disappointments dictate his actions. Instead, he operated out of faith in God’s unseen grace and purpose, embodying the truth that though “our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day,” aiming to foster that inner renewal in others.

While I have been away from writing regularly the last few weeks due to responsibilities at work, school, church, and within my family that took priority, I have been reflecting on many within my life who are regularly an encouragement, both online (particularly on Substack) and offline.

One person who does not know how encouraging she has been is my aunt (technically, my wife’s, but I claim her gladly!). Her faithfulness to Christ, her children, and her husband, through thick and thin, has always been encouraging. While she suffered from a serious illness, she selflessly tended to her husband, who had also suffered from a serious health condition. While she did have help from her children and siblings, she consistently remained true to her duties without complaint. Hearing her voice on the family’s Christian radio station (101.1 FM WAFT) is a constant reminder of her faithfulness and the kindness of God, both of which are encouraging.

For fear of leaving out so many others who have encouraged me directly and indirectly, online and offline, I will deliberately mention only a few from Subsack, whom you should know:

• Christopher Lind always turns my attention from the here and now to the eternal. I am blessed to know him.

• Paul Christopher has become an unexpected friend and diligent prayer warrior on my behalf and for others.

• Jonathon M. Seidl challenges me (in the best way!) to remain consistent in my studying of God’s Word through his daily writing habit that stems from his study of Scripture.

• Christina Lynn Wallace pushes me to think more deeply about my writing and how I can be an encouragement to you.

I could go on, but I will leave it there for now. To each of you listed and the many others I left off, thank you for being a Barnabas in a world filled with Karens!

Every morning, we have a decision to make: Will I be Karen or Barnabas today? It seems simple, and that is because it is. We must choose to die to ourselves daily and follow after Christ.

Consider these measures when you arise or encounter struggles:

1. Pause when you are discontented or frustrated and adjust your gaze (2 Corinthians 4:18)

2. Before you respond, bridle your tongue (Ephesians 4:29)

3. Pray for God to grant Barnabas’s sight (Galatians 6:1-2)

The world has enough Karens. As Christ’s followers, let us commit to being life-giving encouragers, reflecting Jesus, the true Son of Encouragement, in all our ways.

Until next time, keep your hands on the plow and break up the fallow ground!