WHEN TO REACT AND WHEN TO RESPOND

 

 

 

My recent conversation with a sister is actually the reason for this short note. You may want to ask me what is the difference between 'reacting' and 'responding'? The short answer is both are actions towards a cause. The only difference is in the 'time' it takes to happen. 

When we 'react', it is instant, spontaneous, on the spot and on impulse. When we 'respond', it is the right and necessary attitude to a cause but with a process, takes a bit of time.

While waiting to be married, as we celebrate each year and get older and may even stay longer at home with families, we face very annoying and highly offensive situations. Some are intended and deliberate, some are unintended but misconstrued, while some are imaginary or misinterpreted. Whichever way, we just get angry, feel upset and often times become very touchy and irritable.

To be honest my sisters, most of the things that gets us angry are not in themselves the real cause of our anger. Our anger is rooted deep within as a result of this obvious delay. Unfortunately it is the people around us or our immediate buddies that suffer from our incessant snapping and outbursts.

I am not ignoring the fact that some do provoke us deliberately by their words and actions but many may have acted from pure innocence and genuine concern for us. 

When my older and younger got married, I became sick and tired of sympathetic prayers and pitiful concerns that I practically avoided some people and some places. Even if they were sincerely concerned for me, in my mind, there was no trust and so could hardly bear their 'concerns'.

With those I couldn't avoid, I snap easily. I react spontaneously and where possible I snub.

I became so full of strife. Anger and bitterness was not far from me. Unknowingly, I was prolonging my waiting. My prayers were ineffective. I needed to sought it all out to hear God properly. 

I beseech you my beloved sister if this is speaking of you; to shun every form of reaction that leaves you in bitterness and strife. Choose to respond in God's love and in His good time. You will see the difference that this will make in your life as you wait patiently for the promise of the Lord.

 

(Colosians 3:1-17)