Seeing Beyond the Moment – beyond the Circumstance
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish. Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought. For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” Isaiah 41:10
I’ve seen it, my husband has seen it and while out shopping a young cashier said she experienced it. For whatever personal reason, it seems people are on edge and easily provoked these days. How do we handle this?
The first thing we do is not to get drawn into someone else’s stress. We demonstrate patience.
In and of ourselves, this is not easy. For whatever reason a person may act or react angrily towards you – realize it has nothing to do with you. Every one carries around a bundle of issues and you just might be at the right place and the right time for them to release their stresses. So, whether they’re attempting to get you into an argument. Don’t go there.
Listen and Observe. What’s the Main issue?
Does the person who is upset have a valid concern? Is it something within your power to correct? Or do you just need to listen. If that’s the case, do listen and express concern. They may not really want you to solve their problem. They may just want someone to listen. If it is something that you caused, own it and calmly express how you’ll resolve the issue. That’s it. Don’t let their potential attempts to continue to draw you into their stress.
Stay Away From Triggers
In so many ways, we live in an unprecedented time. We live with 24-hour news, no ‘news cycles’. These news programs work off the same script and it seems today they’re working for sensationalism. They report before they even have all the information. There’s a lot of speculation and accusations flowing. I’m not taking sides, but I’ve decided to not listen – especially all day! I’ll check up on the news and let it go. The best we can do is to pray for all and do our best in our own corner of the world. This goes for conversations on Social Media outlets – it really does no good these days to get in on it.
Know No Matter What – God is in Control
God places who He wants where He wants for His own purpose. That includes leaders, celebrities, and all other people – us. Whether we agree with someone, their beliefs, their politics or whatever – God is in control. Remember the Pharaohs of old, remember even Judas. What they did was horrible, but it served a purpose. All we can do is keep our heads up, pray for wisdom and discernment to see, to understand and to act appropriately.
If you feel that all the negativity and stress swirling around these days is getting to you. Get away from whatever is your trigger. Spend time in God’s word, pray and listen to good music. Feed your heart and mind, and go out be a positive influence in this increasingly negative world. Live in an opposite world with joy. God is still in control!
Proverbs 21
The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts. To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin. The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want. The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death. The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment. The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right. It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house. The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes. When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge. The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness. Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath. It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead. He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich. The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright. It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman. There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up. He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour. A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof. Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath. The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour. He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not. The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind? A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly. A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way. There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord. The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord.