We’ve all been there. Sometimes it’s a series of small things and other times it’s one big thing. We’ve experienced them before, and we will experience them again. Sometimes we can look back and laugh at them, but others – not so much. But when we are in the heat of the moment, the fender bender, the spilled coffee, the delayed meal at the restaurant that then shows up wrong, the messed-up work assignment by a co-worker, the drawing on the wall by your child or the missed commitment from a spouse or friend, we have a choice to make. Do we let this drive our attitude and response to the other person or not?
It is natural to feel frustrated when someone lets you down or adversely impacts your plans, but it’s what you do next that counts. Do you allow this frustration to feed the flames of anger that then bubble over into your response to the other person?
Like it or not, we are constantly in the spotlight. People are watching to see how “those Christians” are going to react in a situation.
It’s not fair that we are constantly in the spotlight, constantly being scrutinized, but we weren’t the first. Matthew documents an encounter between the Pharisees, Jesus and His disciples in Matthew 12. The Pharisees were jealous and angry with Jesus, and they were following Him around waiting for Him and His disciples to make a mistake. In chapter 12 it’s the encounter regarding picking grain on the Sabbath.
Imagine having a group of people following you around every day. Day after day challenging you, trying to trap you and trip you up. Luckily, we don’t face that level of scrutiny, but we do have our share.
Jesus never said following Him would be easy. He actually pointed out the opposite, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Trying to shift to positive thoughts amid a struggle is not easy. And I’m not suggesting you should be jumping up and down shouting ‘give me more’ amid a struggle. Positive does not have to be overjoyed.
Over the next several weeks we’ll dig in on this topic and see how we can be more Christlike in the midst of adversity.
Remember, others are watching.