REACTIONS

I Was Just Thinking About – REACTIONS.

Every human being has the innate ability with actions and reactions. We are intricately created and possess basic senses – touch, taste, sight, smell, hearing. These senses are sources of information and experiences that are sent to the brain to be processed. The brain that tells on body how it should respond to prevent an issue from developing or an injury that could occur. Accordingly, the body responds with an action or reaction.

Actions and reactions can sometimes have negative consequences. Lately, the United States has been in negotiations with North Korea to work towards denuclearization and normalcy in international relationships. The current news media keeps referring to the past history of the United states and a “war” with North Korea. The United States never legally or officially declared war. President Truman called it a “police action.” A highly decorated and capable soldier, Five-Star General Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964) was assigned to have command over the United Nations troops. A biographer was not too flattering when he wrote: “A larger-than-life, controversial figure, MacArthur was talented, outspoken and, in the eyes of many, egotistical… He led United Nations forces during the start of the Korean War, but later clashed with President Harry Truman over war policy and was removed from command.” The issue: The General was used to fighting a “war” to win it; the President wanted to follow the path of containment in the hope that “war” would not extend into China. And, as a result, the summit and negotiations are taking place 70 years after the “war”!

Several years ago, J. Allan Petersen wrote a Booklet with the title, Who Runs Your Life? It focused on those things that could impact one’s mind, emotion and will. When the booklet was republished, the title was changed to, Your Reactions Are Showing. It had the same emphasis that included anger management, one’s bitter resentments and responses, attitudes and feelings of malice. Part of the emphasis was concerned with a real and present danger of how things can control one and become the master of one’s life. For a Biblical Christian, one causal result would allow one to ignore the specifics of Ephesians 4:30-31 (NKJV), “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.”

More than a generation ago, I was in a denomination where the glue that brought about considerable results was to maintain mutual esteem and love for one another. This worked well for an extended period of time – until reactions entered in. One man, who we will refer to as Huck, was a high achiever and egotistical. The other man, who we will refer to as Buck, was a faithful and diligent servant of the Lord – serving in a very challenging and difficult place. Huck had heard via the grapevine that Buck had spoken negatively about him. Buck had no idea what Huck was speaking about. Huck had heard from a third party, who we will refer to as Muck, had indicated that Buck had used words that were offensive to Huck. What was the basis of Huck’s conclusion? Did Buck actually say something to Muck that was either negative or derogatory about Huck? The answer is – No! How did Huck arrive at his conclusion? Huck claimed that it was the tone of voice and inflection of Muck when Muck mentioned Buck. Does it sound complicated? It is! What was lacking in all of this discussion and diatribe about what Buck said to Muck who shared it with Huck?

IF ONLY these men had set aside their self-interest, self-centeredness  and egos, there could have been a Biblical resolve. The better and more desirable alternative behavior – and – reaction -  is stipulated in Ephesians 4:32, “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.” IF ONLY there had been the embrace and implementation of Philippians 2:3-5, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…”

Who runs your life? How about your reactions? What do your reactions reveal to others who you really are? Are reactions similar to those of Jesus Christ? If not – why not?

Prayerfully – consider these things with me.