I’ve come to the conclusion that it doesn’t really matter what happens to you in life, that’s not what counts. But rather, how you respond to it, that’s what matters.
I was thinking about this a little while back. Life happens, some days are harder, others incredibly wonderful, and then others can even come across as incredibly routine. I am quite convinced that there is no equation for life. No do this to get that.
Even so, I must say it is important to treat others well and honor God. We never lose when we do what’s right. But still hard and unexpected things will come. God is so wonderful to give us grace in these moments. Abundant grace, even more than we need.
I’ve often pondered why these hard times come. And first and foremost I would say to help direct our attention to God. Though it is my goal to cultivate and grow a close relationship with Him day by day, I cannot deny that the difficult times are where I cling even more tightly to Him and His beautiful Word. I seek more earnestly, pray more faithfully, and overall feel a more precious connection with Him.
And through all this, I really believe that it’s not so much what happens, but rather how you respond to it. Do you respond by leaning into the grace He so generously gives? Do you work to figure how this situation is for your good? Maybe you have the maturity to rejoice that something better is coming. That is a fascinating way God works – He never takes something away without replacing it with something better! And I love that promise, that comfort that something better is in the works! How precious to be loved in such a dear way!
We don’t even have to discuss hard or extreme situations, but can rather apply this to everyday life too! The way another treats you isn’t about how you were treated but more about how you respond to it. (This is of course assuming that you seek to be pleasant and kind and a lovely representation of God.) Typically people treat you how you treat them. Greet them with kindness and typically they respond in kind. If you haven’t noticed, try it and see!
But every once in a blue moon, no matter how kind I try to be, there’s a customer I just can’t make happy. This is precisely when I try to remember that it doesn’t matter if their rudeness or discontent is warranted (ideally it wouldn’t ever be), but rather the real story unfolds in how I respond. This to me is such an interesting test! Do I respond out of frustration or a desire to reflect Christ even to those that annoy me?
To the best of my ability I respond like I think Christ would expect me to respond. That’s not to say I let another walk over me, but rather I try to see the situation separate from myself. I pretend the difficult person is having a civil complaint or problem and try to address it accordingly. I can’t help but think it is so important not to consider yourself too dearly. Not that I’m saying we as individuals aren’t important to God. But rather I think it is an incredible opportunity to practice resisting the human urge to get indignant or triggered and instead rather practice asking God for wisdom and accept the grace He so generously gives!
This is a constant work in progress. I’m as human as they come and fail just as much as the next person. But hopefully, day by day I continue to work to consider a Christ-like response before my own. And I’ll be honest, sometimes this choice doesn’t always feel sincere to who I am, but it is wholeheartedly who I am working to become – a new creation in Christ!
Until Next Time!
Hope.