"People are known not by how they act when they're in control, but by how they react when things are beyond their control" ~ John C. Maxwell
“Your Reaction Shows Your Christianity”
From Think On These Things: Meditations For Leaders
By John C. Maxwell
The mind is a powerful thing. How you think determines who you are. That’s why Scripture directs us to be careful about where we focus our attention. A leader’s ability to achieve anything great for God begins in his/her heart and mind.
Jesus experienced misunderstanding, ingratitude, and rejection. But He was never bitter, discouraged, or overcome. To Him, every obstacle was an opportunity.
Brokenheartedness? An opportunity to comfort. Disease? An opportunity to heal. Hatred? An opportunity to love. Temptation? An opportunity to overcome. Sin? An opportunity to forgive.
How do we react when criticized? There’s always someone in the crowd who will criticize. By the way, some people find fault so freely you would think they were getting paid for it. Many people have been hurt under the banner of constructive criticism. Here’s an interesting observation: It’s constructive criticism when I criticize you; it’s destructive criticism when you criticize me.
Whether criticism is unjust or just, a person shows his or her true mettle by how he or she responds. The best way to lose an enemy is to treat him like a friend. It would help each of us to realize that there are times we make errors and display shortcomings. In our relationship with our Heavenly Father, we don’t need justice – we need mercy. In our relationships with others, we should be quick to give mercy and slow to demand justice.
When tempted to react in an unchristian manner, we should do the following:
- Realize that everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
The other person’s life is no easier than yours. Perhaps today he or she is lonely, misunderstood, and hurt. A sure indication that a person hurts inside is the confirmation by what he or she says on the outside. Such a person may hurt you by what he or she says or does because of inward hurt.
- Reacting in a positive, reassuring manner will produce better results.
Recently I hit another car while traveling on a four-lane highway. The driver of the other car was frightened and angry. Immediately I apologized, assured her that I had an excellent insurance company, and told the patrolman I was at fault. I made a friend out of the person whose car I had bumped. How? By a positive reaction to a negative situation.
- There’s no better way to witness for Christ than by your Christian reactions.
The fruit of the Spirit, as listed in Gal. 5:22-23, is not to be displayed only during the easy times. These attributes are given so that they will become a part of daily life and be in evidence even when things go wrong. If someone is hungry and become irritable toward you, give him/her a piece of bread and butter. That’s showing kindness. But at the same time, why not spread a little jam on it? That’s lovingkindness. That’s the right reaction. That’s genuine Christianity.
POWER VERSES
Galatians 5:22-23, NIV ~ “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law”
Philippians 4:6-9, NIV ~ “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you”
Dear Lord, please help me to dwell on what is good and to live out my faith. In my relationship with others, help me to be quick to forgive and to give mercy and slow to demand justice. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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