Appropriate Response

There have been times when I laughed at something that should have made me sad. I have also had times when I simply said the wrong thing in response to an event that happened. I see a difference between response and reaction. A response should be thought out and measured. A reaction is quick and without much thought.  A response is often positive, and a reaction is often negative.

David and his men were back in the Philistine country when a messenger comes to tell the news of Saul’s death. The response of David and his men might be surprising to some. Check this out…

¹¹ David and his men tore their clothes in sorrow when they heard the news.¹² They mourned and wept and fasted all day for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the Lord’s army and the nation of Israel, because they had died by the sword that day. (2 Samuel 1:11-12 NLT)

I think this response from David and his men were genuine because it came from a place of respect for the office that Saul had. He was the Lord’s Anointed. David could have celebrated because an enemy was finally dead.  I think his response was respectful and it showed the people around him the depth of his character.

An appropriate response shows maturity.

An appropriate response shows character.

An appropriate response shows understanding.

I believe that when I walk with the Lord in the Light of His Word, my response to any situation can be appropriate and carefully thought out. If my response comes quickly, it might just be from my flesh. If my response is thought out carefully, it is more likely the Spirit of God helping me navigate the situation appropriately.

Pressing On!

Dwayne