A thought by Mark Batterson (2014-09-02) from his
book, The Grave Robber: How Jesus Can Make Your Impossible Possible (p. 220).
Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the
title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)
Look at what Mark
says, “Let’s say you’re at a restaurant waiting for a date that you were
supposed to meet at 7: 00 sharp, but forty-five minutes later he or she is a
no-show. At some point you need to explain to yourself why the person isn’t
there. Here are some possible explanations. You might think, “He stood me up,”
causing you to become mad. You could jump to conclusions and think, “She
doesn’t love me anymore,” causing you to become sad. You could assume, “He was
in an accident,” causing you to feel anxious. You might imagine, “He’s working
overtime so that he can pay for our meal,” causing you to feel grateful. You
could speculate, “She’s with another man,” causing you to feel jealous. Or you
might realize, “This gives me a perfect excuse to break up with her,” giving
you a great deal of relief. Same
situation. Very different explanations.”
And it is a matter of choice by you and how you view the situation.
That is so true. Have you learned to use that as a way to
enjoy life instead of endure it?
Look at what Mark
says, “Let’s say you’re at a restaurant waiting for a date that you were
supposed to meet at 7: 00 sharp, but forty-five minutes later he or she is a
no-show. At some point you need to explain to yourself why the person isn’t
there. Here are some possible explanations. You might think, “He stood me up,”
causing you to become mad. You could jump to conclusions and think, “She
doesn’t love me anymore,” causing you to become sad. You could assume, “He was
in an accident,” causing you to feel anxious. You might imagine, “He’s working
overtime so that he can pay for our meal,” causing you to feel grateful. You
could speculate, “She’s with another man,” causing you to feel jealous. Or you
might realize, “This gives me a perfect excuse to break up with her,” giving
you a great deal of relief. Same
situation. Very different explanations.”
And it is a matter of choice by you and how you view the situation.
What is your natural
way to look at every situation? Now as I
have gotten older I have striven to give people the benefit of the doubt, to come up
with a win, win for each of us. And then
in those situations when I know I have been wronged I give them grace just as
Christ has given me grace. He hasn’t
given me what I deserved so I want to do the same with others. Now that is not natural for me. I am a born pessimist and perfectionist and
also a self-centered person and that is where God’s love and Spirit comes
in. And He is still working on me.
The natural man that
which is natural to us can be in control of our reactions to others or the
Spirit filled man when we are filled with God’s love can be in control. There is a choice there. It all depends on who we choose to control
our reactions. And which is in control
goes a long way in our enjoying our life.
So what controls your
reaction?
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