Reading the Culture

This week, Merriam-Webster Dictionary has selected the top word of 2022 -- a choice that reflects the distrust seeping through our current culture: "gaslighting."

The dictionary defines "gaslighting" as "the act or practice of grossly misleading someone especially for one's own advantage," a meaning that is more nuanced than simply lying or deceiving someone. According to Merriam-Webster, "gaslighting" someone into believing that they are wrong is typically part of a "larger plan" at play.

The word "gaslighting" first gained traction when the 1938 play and 1944 movie Gaslight were wildly popular. The play ran on Broadway for more than 1,000 performances, and the movie earned seven Academy Award nominations and won two: Best Actress (Ingrid Bergman) and Best Production Design. The film, as the play, recounts the story of a nefarious husband who tricks his new wife into thinking she is losing her mind -- particularly by telling her that the gaslights in their home are not fading at all when, in actuality, they dim when he is sneakily in the attic, reducing the gas to the downstairs lamps. In part because of the play and movie, the noun "gaslight" transitioned into a verb as well in the 1940s.

The term "gaslighting" has appeared in everything from political to medical conversations this past year: from the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol to resources from the National Domestic Violence Hotline, which recognizes gaslighting as an "extremely effective form of emotional abuse." According to the New York Times, "medical gaslighting" occurs when patients are dismissed by physicians who downplay their symptoms.

Merriam-Webster reports that their online dictionary has seen a 1740% increase in searches for the word "gaslighting" this past year.

Embedded in this announcement of the 2022 word of the year is a sense that our 21st-century culture is inherently -- and often rightfully -- distrustful, and ultimately longing for a grounding in something that is steadfast and trustworthy. How will you respond?

"Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him," is a reminder we hear in Jeremiah 17:7. Do you live a life that reflects your grounding in the Lord's good promises? How can we help one another remember that the Lord is loving and steadfast, especially in those moments when he may feel distant or silent?

Peace on your week,

Jennie