Get Along

So, I messed up yesterday. I thought I was having a good day, but for some reason I let a little correction really get to me, and I overreacted. Badly. Looking back, I can see how I should have reacted, and even figuring out why I may have reacted the way I did doesn't really make it better.

But we've sorted it out, I've apologized, and I've asked God's forgiveness. The only thing left to do is to make this blog post. No. I'm not giving you details.

As humans, I think it's impossible for us to get along with each other 100% of the time. There will be bumps in the road. There will be misunderstandings and arguments and hurt feelings.

The key, I think, is to know when you're wrong, and be willing to apologize for it, even if it starts something else. Then, ask forgiveness from God for your part in whatever happened. After you've apologized, whether that person accepts or not, whether it resolves the situation or not, let it go. Let. It. Go. Don't badger the other person. Don't take offence if they need time to be mad and run through the course of their emotions. Let it go. Let them have their space. And if it blows over without incident, be thankful.

Sometimes there are things we have to get off our chests, even if it becomes an argument. Sometimes it's the only way we can really understand people. Unfortunately, we don't always address issues when they should be, we don't always let go of things when we should, and sometimes it festers until the only thing to do with it is to let it come out of our mouths.

Should it really get to that point? The point of screaming, and sobbing so hard you can't breathe? Probably not.

We should really be growing in God so that we can handle even the worst situations with grace. But it's not always going to happen, I'm afraid. Sometimes the flesh takes over and all our spirit can do is facepalm.

What do I mean by handling a situation with grace? Well...let's see.

How about the golden rule? - Do unto others as you would have them do unto you (Luke 6:31).

I don't like to argue with people. Ever. So, usually, I think it through before I say something I'm going to regret. Usually. If I wouldn't want someone to say it to me, I try to keep my filter in place so I won't say it to someone else.

And then there's this: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these (Mark 12:30-31).

And then this one, which I wish I'd remembered yesterday: Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips (Psalm 141:3).

So, what I mean by reacting to all situations with grace is basically this: keep your mouth shut. Take correction. Don't start fights. Listen politely even if the other person is wrong. Stay calm. If someone offends you, give it to God, and ask His help to deal with it. But as children of God, we have to behave differently from everyone else. Remember, that what we do matters, and we have to pray and learn from God's Word so that we can react appropriately in all situations, so that people can see God working in our lives.

That doesn't mean we won't mess up. It happens. It just means that the way we act when we mess up changes too. 

After all, when we know how to behave, shouldn't we behave better? If God holds us to a higher standard, shouldn't we always be striving to meet that standard?