Day 48: Judgment

It's difficult to respond to someone with whom you disagree with. I can't exactly speak for everyone, but it's disgustingly easy to give someone a verbal reaming. It takes effort to keep one's composure and not go into that childhood cop-out argument of "Nuh-uh, Yeah-huh" that goes on forever.

And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.
~Philippians 1:9-10 (KJV)

I like to think that I'm a pretty darn patient person, at least toward other people... toward myself or uncooperative technology is a different story altogether. However, even my limits are tested. Case in point: a friend of mine told me about something/someone that really ruffled his feathers. I thought that it was a pretty petty reason to be upset, although I didn't tell him that exactly. However, I did try to calmly come up with explanations to help him see the situation differently). Unfortunately, that didn't work. On top of that, the initial topic led into another one that we also disagreed on. While it didn't decline into the infamous "Nuh-huh, Yeah-huh" debate, it was apparent that we were both perturbed with each other.

Okay, I'm no psychologist (although, I have studied quite a bit) but there are several things to keep in mind when a situation such as this arises. First, don't blame the other person--give him/her the benefit of the doubt. You never know how a persons feels or what he/she has gone through to make him/her feel that way. Blaming only detracts from the maturity of the disagreement and makes things worse. Second, think about what you want to say before you say it. The beauty of my situation was that the conversation was online, so I had the advantage of proofreading my responses before sending them. NEVER say/send any comment that is hurtful or untrue. And it never hurts to say a quick prayer to God to grant you with the correct words to say and the patience to refrain from saying anything else.

Lord, thank You for this day. It was indeed a good day. Please forgive me of my sins, Lord, for I am imperfect. Please bless me with patience, strength, serenity, and self-confidence. Lord, please bless my family, friends, and pets; keep them safe and strong, happy and healthy. Watch over the defenders of all that is good. Please continue to guide me down Your path, Lord. You are the most important thing in my life, and I shall follow You with all of my heart and soul forever and ever. I love You, Lord! In Jesus' name, Amen.


Love and God Bless,
M.C.