React or Respond?

Have you ever accidentally stepped on a dog's tail? You get one of two reactions: 1) a yelp of pain (usually followed by a whimper as the pain subsides), or 2) a snap of anger (also a reaction to pain). When a dog yelps, it's not because he is mad; it's because he is hurt. When he snaps, it's not because he is mean; it's because he is hurt.

We as humans are more in control of our reactions at times than animals, but in a way, we are just like them. When someone steps on our pride or our feelings, we often react with a raw emotion such as anger or hurt, which causes us to either yelp in pain and retreat to lick our wounds or lash out in anger and seek to inflict similar pain in retaliation.

As we've been learning in Sunday school lately, there are actually three wrong responses to conflict: 1) attack-speak out in justification/lash out in retaliation; 2) retreat-run away from the person/situation (avoidance); or 3) surrender-cower to that person/situation and let it control you or have its way. None of these really solves the problem, in fact, they usually complicate and prolong it.

But, then there is a higher way. It is the way Christ exemplified for us while on this earth. He encountered conflict all the time and He always knew how to handle the situation. Sometimes He did speak out in righteous anger. Other times, He compassionately opened the eyes of the attacker to allow them to see the reason behind their attack. And still other times, He simply walked away from the situation knowing "His time had not yet come."

The problem is training yourself to take that higher road. And even more challenging is learning to discern which response is most appropriate in each circumstance. How can we do this? I think the answer lies in staying closely connected to Christ. The more we study His Word and examine what Christ did, analyzing His words and actions for the sake of emulating them, the better chance we have of correctly identifying the situation and responding to it as He would do or as He would have us do. One of the keys is learning not to react immediately, but to check your pride and take a step back to give yourself time to correctly respond.

We're all human and God's not finished with us yet. We have times when we are hurt and our flesh takes over and we react. Maturity is when those times become less and less frequent and more often than not, you do begin to take the higher road.

React or Respond? (Part II)

This was on My Yahoo! homepage today:
Word of the Day
Information provided by Petersons.com
adversity
DEFINITION: (noun) a state or condition that is contrary to one of well-being.

EXAMPLE: It's easy to be patient and generous when things are going well; a person's true character is revealed under adversity.

I thought it fitting and slightly ironic, though certainly not coincidental, that I saw this word after I posted the above.

Oh, one more addendum:
Another source of reaction rather than response is fear. Fear of how that person views you. Fear that they might be right. Fear of being hurt again. Fear of not being able to control them or the situation. Yeah, fear's not so good, but according to the Scripture, there is no fear in love because perfect love casts out fear. So, if we recognize we are wholly and dearly loved by Christ and if we recognize that our attacker is as well, then we are more able to respond rather than react.

Ok, that's all I have to say about that.

A Good Road?

David Livingstone was a missionary to Africa, one of the first of his kind. He went where no British, in fact, no white man had ever gone. Originally, a doctor, Livingstone made his way into the hearts of the people offering medical attention and solving problems of sanitation and unhealthy habits. Naturally curious and adventurous, Livingstone blazed trails mapping out the country and sending his findings back to Great Britian. He was the one who named Lake Victoria and Victoria Falls for the current queen of England. Today, statues and plaques can be found all over the continent honoring him as a beloved doctor and bearer of the Good News.

Once, while Dr. Livingstone was exploring new territory and discovering new people groups, he received a letter from the British Missionary Society telling him that if he had found a good road to where he was, they would send more men to help him. He wrote back with this message, "If the men you have to send will only come if there is a good road, they are not the men I want. I only want men who are willing to come where there is no road at all."

When my pastor quoted this letter in church today, it hit me that I don't know which kind of 'man' I am. Am I the type who only wants to go where there's a good road or am I willing to take the more difficult path into unknown territory and blaze a trail? Like the poem says, am I one who would take the "road less traveled?"

The Christian life that is safe and comfortable is usually also without fruit. It is those who live recklessly and passionately for God that see his hand move mightily through their lives. God did incredible, world-changing things through this Dr. Livingstone because he was one who did not need a good road. Are you?

Veterans' Day

If you're like me, when you hear the word 'veteran,' you think of old guys sitting around the VFW hall playing dominoes or one-legged men in wheelchairs holding cardboard signs at the intersections of large cities. But, it hit me recently that with the Gulf War in the 80's and the current War on Terror, there are veterans that are actually younger than I, in fact, my little brother is one.

Yep, that's right, my baby brother, two years younger than me, has fought in a war and now bears the title of veteran. That changes my perspective on this upcoming holiday. So, today in advisory period (aka- study hall), I had my students write thank you cards to the men and women who are currently fighting for our freedom and will hopefully come home with the title of veteran.

Not to downplay what these brave soldiers are doing, I can't help but think of the war we're all a part of as Christians. The Bible tells us that we are to engage in combat with the enemy, but the weapons of our warfare are not physical, but spiritual. We're to dress ourselves with the armor of God and take up the shield of faith and the Sword of the Spirit which is the Bible. We're to battle in prayer. We're to take back captives and free the prisoners by sharing our faith and admonishing or encouraging our brothers in their walks with God. In a way, if we are engaging in this battle, we too may bear the title of veteran.

So, this November 11, as you remember and honor those who have fought and are fighting for your freedom as an American, take a moment to think and pray about what contribution God would have you make to the spiritual war that goes on all around you. Check your gear and make sure you're protected and armed. Read Ephesians 6:10-18 and 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 and step up and join the fight.