Lately I have been thinking about how our words and actions affect the people around us. I know you will find this shocking, but I have been know to overreact a time or two! Shocking, right?
Each and every day, we are put into situations we'd rather not experience. Then we are forced to react to these situations with one of two choices. We will either react in a positive or a negative way. But what if the situation is so shocking you can't find the strength to be positive or negative? Perhaps there is a third choice, and maybe this is the most critical choice of all. Maybe we need to react with silence.
I am very, very bad at choice number three. Let me give you some examples from the past 24 hours. A dear friend is awaiting test results that could change her life forever. I want to fix it, to tell her it's all fine. But the reality is it might not be fine. My job is to pray for her. My daughter told me about something shocking that happened at school. She told me because she trusts me. It's my job to guide and teach her as she makes her way through life. I can't do that job if I'm flipping out. A situation came up at work that really didn't make me happy. My instinct was to explain how the plan wouldn't work. But in reality some things are out of my control, and they affect more than just me. I want to be one who helps solve problems, not one who throws a fit when things don't go my way.
James 1:19 says, "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this. Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry." God was pretty smart when He inspired James to write these words. If I'm able to apply this scripture to my life, then it let's me off the hook. I don't have to solve any of these problems I heard about today, because God will handle each one according to His will. All I have to do is lend a listening ear to those around me, and leave the rest to God.
When I control my shock, anger, grief, or whatever negative emotion bubbles to the surface, I shouldn't say, "I deserve an Oscar for the way I handled that situation." Yes, I actually made that statement to someone today. Even if I did handle a situation well, the thought should remain in my head and not come out of my mouth. My flippant words do NOT show the person James was talking about who is slow to speak.
Tonight I will put my head on my pillow and thank God for sending people my way who are willing to share shocking news with me. I will ask Him to help me be quick to listen and slow to speak. Then I will wake up tomorrow thankful for another day to get it right.
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