Right Reactions

And the servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient

II Timothy 2:24 NKJV

Mild mannered.  Gentle.  Calm.  Do these words describe the way that you act when provoked?  When someone uses the right combination to get under your skin, are those words characteristic of your typical response?  Wednesday night REfresh Bible study challenged me to be more conscious of my reaction in contentious situations.

Over the years, I have crafted the ability to hold my tongue….usually.  I can listen to someone that is out of line and just stare.  All kinds of crazy thoughts will run through my mind, but I’ll remain silent.  I ruminate over the issue.  I mean, I really think it through.  Sometimes, my silence lasts until my anger/disdain/disappointment fades.  And other times, I let people have it.  With me, delayed truly does not mean denied.  I may not get you right at the moment, but in time, I’m a master at putting someone in their place.  Pastor’s lesson on II Timothy 2:24 was a reminder that I’m not yet where I should be when it comes to strife.

This verse is a call to live the life that God wants us to live.  So many times, it’s hard for me to put me to the side.  Especially when dealing with people who have a tendency to generate strife.  I have a perfect example.  I was talking with a family member.  Actually, he was cursing and calling me out of my name.  Now, I knew he was drunk, but I had had enough.  I succinctly cursed him out.  He was shocked.  He was appalled.  He questioned my Christianity and told me that I wasn’t a good representative for Christ.  He was right.  In that moment, I wasn’t concerned about Christ.  I just needed for him to know that he didn’t own curse words.  They were free for all to use so I utilized them.  But what did I gain?

Temporarily, I felt great.  I’d be lying if I said it didn’t feel good to let somebody have it sometimes.  I usually have a long fuse and feel justified if I refrain from using my words to harm for an extended period of time.  But that’s not great for me in the long term.  My pastor reminded me that God holds ME accountable for how I treat others.  On judgement day, God won’t ask what others said to me.  His concern will be how I responded.  He wants my reactions to be right.

Ugggh.  I love Bible study and struggle with it at the same time.  It’s one thing to read that I need to be patient and humbly correct those who are in opposition.  It’s an entirely different thing to live out.  Pastor said that there is a ministry in your reaction.  And my reaction to that negative situation is not the ministry that I want to spread across the world. 

My reaction reveals where I am in my relationship with Christ.  I have walked away from the concept of perfectionism, but I know that I can do better.  I can be better.  I’m grateful that God continues to give me the chance to try it again.  Next time, I will have the right reaction.  #wepreach