Respond or react

Wow.. I got so much going around inside of me I just am trying to let a little slip out at a time ROFL!!!

To quote a really good looking wonderful sweet cute handsome Pastor ( Can you tell which pastor I'm referring to heheheheheheh )

"Circumstances rise that take us by surprise and we feel that we have no control over. The truth is that though you may not have control over what has taken place, you do have control over the outcome and the effect that it is allowed to have on your life.We need to come to an understanding that there is something greater beyond our circumstance."

I was looking up his notes on this sermon.. and it was a good one, just not the direction I feel tonight. But my hubby's first quote really is the meat of what God has been talking with me today. I feel encouraged... a test came my way and I think that I did pretty good this go round.

You see I can be a bit of a reactionist, and truth be told I think that we all are by nature. I looked up the definitions of the words out of curiosity... React (By Miriam Webster ) is to exert a reciprocal or counter acting force or influence. and Respond (Also by Miriam Webster) to say something in return, make an answer.

So just by definition alone.. reacting is something we shouldn't be in to. If you think about it - a reaction comes without thought, it's impulsive and nothing was weighed out. Responding, however, means that the pros and cons have been weighed about, it has been thought about and the response is in reply, not in reaction to the circumstance. Impulsive reactions often get us into trouble. They are usually based on snap judgement and usually without thought to what could possibly be other factors in what you are reacting to... and typically involves presumptions. Reacting is a good way to eat your shoes. And I'm getting tired of the taste of rubber! heheheheheh

Responding is to give an answer. Responding is thought out, prayed about . Pros and cons are weighed out and there is more reason in responding. Responding is simply " think before you speak".

I've had the verse going over and over in my mind today:
Eph 4:25-27 And "don't sin by letting anger gain control over you." Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a mighty foothold to the Devil. NLT


I think that when you react in anger you give the devil some ground to do some damage in your life. Or when you react in hurt, or confusion. When you allow those emotions to control of how you handle your circumstances whatever they may be, the outcome will not be desirable. But when you submit your emotions to God, and your thoughts and words, you can respond and not react.

Oh there are plenty of times when I have reacted rather then responded. And you know what I end up getting hurt, and so do those who are involved in those circumstances. I was given the opportunity to see how it feels to respond instead of react.. and you know what I think God's on to something here ROFL It felt so wonderful to be able to take a step back and say "Ok God I give this to you" (***note for bloggers who don't know I had been verbally attacked very very harshly on my Xanga, the comment has been erased, but not before I let God's words pour forth from my fingers and RESPOND to the attacker rather then react to it***)

Let's just not test my respond vs react ratios ok ROFL I am after all a work in progress! I really feel God is wanting me to respond to things and not react.. mostly in my family life. That is my biggest weakness in the reaction temptation. It's easy to react when you're irritable. So I am feeling quite convicted tonight to be sure that I respond, or give answer to instead of counter act.


"Circumstances rise that take us by surprise and we feel that we have no control over. The truth is that though you may not have control over what has taken place, you do have control over the outcome and the effect that it is allowed to have on your life.We need to come to an understanding that there is something greater beyond our circumstance."

I have control over the outcome and the effect that it is allowed to have on my life. Well there goes my victim mentality.... but it's true. It's easier to heal from negative ircumstances when you respond with God's words and actions then it is when you react.