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Reaction is our response to what someone says or does. Reactions are very important. Our reaction
may have long-term or even eternal, consequences. We will always remember how someone else reacts
toward us and our reactions may well be remembered by others whether they be good or bad reactions.
If we react in the wrong way it can lead to resentment.
Think about the story of Joseph. He was very loved by his father but his brothers were jealous of
him. Even though eventually his brothers sold him into slavery he did not react in the wrong way. The
same when his masters wife falsely accused him. He did not become resentful and bitter. Eventually
Joseph became Ruler over Egypt. During the famine Joseph could have gotten even with his brothers
but instead he followed God and forgave them. This is a right reaction.
In this world of sin and rebellion there are a lot of people who treat others unfairly. Even though we
are treated unfairly our reactions will determine the outcome. Our reactions is what will be remembered
in the long term.
Some situations that usually cause us to react in a wrong way are.
1. Rudeness or discourtesy - our usual response is to treat the other person the same way. The Bible
teaches us that as Christians we are always to be courteous.
"Why should we let others decide how we are going to act."
2. Unfair treatment - Just about everybody gets treated unfairly at some time of their lives. This can
cause us a lot of pain and even distress. As a Christian we can decide what our reaction will be. If we
as Christians can deal or handle unfair treatment in a positive way we will be much happier and we'll be
following God.
3. Hurt pride - Nobody likes their pride to be hurt and when it is we can become very angry. We
can also carry this hurt and resentment around with us for the rest of our life OR we could shrug it off
and forgive that person who hurt us. The Bible tells us that "Pride goeth before destruction, and an
haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 16:18
"He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made
fat. 4. Offenses - When someone commits an offense against us it is so easy to get angry and react in
the wrong way. Remember we will reap what we sow. God will deal with us in the same way that we
deal with others. That is one very good reason to be kind and forgive others. Remember that we all will
give an account to God someday. Will yours be a good account or a bad account? If we won't forgive
others why should God forgive us.
"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: *On one occasion, General Oglethorpe said proudly to John Wesley, " I NEVER forgive!" "Then I
hope, sir," said Wesley, "that you never sin." (taken from SOL)
5. When someone says something angry or harsh to us it is typical for us to reply back in the same
manner but this is not Gods way. We should answer back with a soft answer and keep our anger in
control. We CAN do this with Gods help.
"A soft answer turns away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger." Proverbs 15:1 6. Criticism - if it is true criticism then we should learn form it. If it is not true criticism then we
should still learn from it by not letting it disturb us. By leaving the situation in Gods hands He will take
care of it for us.
"A wise man said, "When you are in the right, you can afford to keep your temper. When you are in
the wrong, you cannot afford to lose it."" (taken from SOL)
7. Mistakes - everybody makes mistakes sometime in their life. We should acccept the responsibility
of our mistakes and not blame others. We have the power to make that choice. We should always
apologize to those we err. God expects us to be humble and apologizing is a form of humbling ourselves.
There is no time in your life when anger is the only choice you have. You can respond with patience,
humor, kindness, or in some other way.
"And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be
exalted." Matthew 23:12
"But He giveth more grace. Wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the
humble." James 4:6
"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:..." 1
Peter 5:6
He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered." Proverbs
28:25,26
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew
6:14,15
Holding on to wrong reactions can lead to resentment. If we continue our resentment it will lead to bitterness. Let's face it - who is the loser really going to be? That's right - you. Bitterness makes for a very unhappy person.
Here are some ways that we can keep ourselves from being resentfull and bitter.
Overlook offenses: Stay in daily fellowship with God - reading His Word and praying daily. By being in fellowship with God we can overlook things that may otherwise bother us.
"The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression." Proverbs 19:11
*Quickly clear up any misunderstandings: Satan has a way of promoting misunderstandings between God's people. He will put false ideas or thoughts in our head even though they may not be true. If we have a misunderstanding with another Christian we should go to that person and get it straightened out as soon as possible.
"A missionary leader was conducting a conference among missionaries in a foreign land. One day a missionary came to him and said, "One of the missionaries here has something against me and I don't know why." Soon thereafter, the other missionary came to see the leader and said the same thing about the first one. As it turned out, each one thought that the other had something against her. Both were wrong. There was really nothing between them, but Satan had put this thought into their minds and they had accepted it and were deceived." (taken form SOL)
* Reject wrong attitudes quickly: It is wrong to hold on to wrong attitudes. The Word of God tells us "Be ye angry and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath." Ephesians 4:26
* Pray for the other person: When another person has treated us wrongly we should pray for that person. We should also pray for ourselves that we will not become resentful. Remember, by acting in a Godly way toward others we are showing Christ's love. That may plant the seed for that person to come to personally know the Lord.
As Christians we must let God control our reactions. God's Word says: "See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
Rejoice evermore,
Pray without ceasing.
In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
1 Thessalonians 5:15-18
Our Reactions Have Eternal Consequences:
Amy Carmichael (a great missionary to India) once said:
The eternal subsance of a thing is never in the thing itself, but in the quality of our reaction toward it. If
in hard times, we are kept from resentment, held in silence, and filled with inward sweetness, that is
what matters. The event that distressed us will pass from memory as a wind that passes and is gone.
But what we were while the wind was blowing has eternal consequences. (Taken from SOL)
It matters little what happens to us. The thing that really matters is how we react to what happens. May the Lord enable us to see that our reactions have eternal consequences. The things that trouble us will pass in time, but our reactions have eternal consequences. (Taken from SOL)
Sources taken from SOL (Source of Light) have been used with permission and are from Course 4, Book 6. Please see below for URL for Source of Light.
If you would like more information on Reaction and Resentment or need prayer for same please
e-mail me at the address below.
( http://www.sourceoflight.org )
