Reactions

"Know this my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God." James 1:19-20

"Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them." - Ephesians 4:29

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This summer, and definitely into the school year, I have been taught over and over an important reminder -- how crucial my reactions can be. Reactions at the base are the way you respond to what life throws at you. Particularly in this season of my life, I have had a few times when this lesson has come in handy.

I can only control so much in my life, that is a fact. There are just a few things that I have control over, a few situations that I am in charge of and can plan or account for. I can control what I wear, what I eat, how I fill my free time, and how I spend my money.

While there are things you can control, there are infinitely more things that are simply beyond my realm of control. I can't control how people treat us. I can't control people I love getting hurt or sick. I can't control when loved ones pass away. I can't control when someone hurts me, or says something mean about me, or does something that isn't kind. I can't control many of the events that occur in my life, and I definitely can't control the little things that always seem to come up and complicate everything.

I've spent a lot of time worry about these things that are out of my control. I try to plan, prepare, and create scenarios on how I will handle them. In general, I am just a worrier. Why do I let little things, especially things in the past, control my thoughts? Even when I knew they are beyond my control?

As a believer of Christ, I believe that He is the one who controls my life. He is responsible for every second of every day of my life and all the events that occur. He is responsible for me being successful on a test. He is responsible for that time when I got in a fender-bender. He was responsible for bringing me here to college and joining Pi Phi. He has every detail of our life mapped out already.

So what does that mean? Well, to me, it means that I can plan for so many things, but only God knows what is actually going to happen. I can't plan every event or situation I may get into. But, since I serve a gracious, kind, and forgiving God, I know that everything happens for a reason and I'm always granted forgiveness for whatever mess I may find myself in.

With that being said, the biggest thing that I can control is my reactions. No, I can't really control everything. But, I can try my best to handle any situation with grace, compassion, and forgiveness. I can try to react to difficult situations the way God responds to my sin every day. Rather than getting upset, being unkind, or blaming others, I can choose to respond with grace, mercy, kindness, and forgiveness. Responding in this way means that I maybe don't understand what's happening, but I know that God has a plan and that's the plan I want to live for.

 xoxo,
Kenzie