RESPOND

Respond or react?  What do you do?  When we react we do so with intense emotion.  It is somewhat like we don’t think before we react.  Reacting puts us on the defensive, our blood begins to boil and the hair stands on the back of our neck.  The downside to reacting is that we let our emotions lead and drive us.  When we respond we also give a response, however it is a thoughtful reaction with reason.  It is like a first responder who responds to an accident with purpose. 

If we are reactors how do we change?  How do we become those who use logic first instead of emotion?  To change we must first realize that we need to.  It is our responsibility to decide how we are going to grow and learn. 

So who do we use as a role model of responder?  When I think of an example of a responder I think of Jesus.  He was just that, the mindful responder no matter what the situation.  He had control through attentiveness and awareness.  When he encountered a situation he centered every conversation fruitfully, honestly and fully. 

So the WWJD items that float around everywhere are really what we need to follow during times of decisions.  We need to say to say ourselves, “How would Jesus respond?”  When we respond as He would respond we respond mindfully and logically. 

   Begin your responding today and be more Christ like. 

He wants us to be more like Him.