Thoughts of tough interactions
We all know those people that require extra grace, but sometimes it feels as though some people require beyond extra grace. Well, I'm interacting with one of those people now. My interactions with this person make me feel frustrated, a little annoyed, and inferior. My thoughts say that this person thinks I'm not smart or capable. As humans we collect data that informs ours narratives. And that's what I've been doing for the past three weeks, collecting data and forming a narrative.
As a follower of Jesus, I'm called to honor, respect, and above all love this person. I've found this a rather challenging task. This past Monday, I was also informed about a blind spot with how I was relating to this individual. It hit me hard then, I wasn't being who Jesus has called me to be. I felt stuck, unable to see things from a different perspective. So I texted a friend and asked to meet up. This friend gave me a couple of things to think about that I hadn't before. These came from other interactions with people and their own experiences and advice they were offered. So I wanted to share them with you, because I think they are really good ways to think about our interactions with others that are really, really difficult. So here they are.
1. In light of my identity in God, how does that impact how I relate to this person?
2. Considering who I want to be, ideally what would it look like to interact with this person?
I'm still taking time to consider both of these, and plan on spending more time over the next couple of days. I will then be writing some action steps and implementing those. Friends, our identity and who we want to become are so important to our character. Let's love our neighbor, even when it is so difficult, knowing where our identity is rooted.
As a follower of Jesus, I'm called to honor, respect, and above all love this person. I've found this a rather challenging task. This past Monday, I was also informed about a blind spot with how I was relating to this individual. It hit me hard then, I wasn't being who Jesus has called me to be. I felt stuck, unable to see things from a different perspective. So I texted a friend and asked to meet up. This friend gave me a couple of things to think about that I hadn't before. These came from other interactions with people and their own experiences and advice they were offered. So I wanted to share them with you, because I think they are really good ways to think about our interactions with others that are really, really difficult. So here they are.
1. In light of my identity in God, how does that impact how I relate to this person?
2. Considering who I want to be, ideally what would it look like to interact with this person?
I'm still taking time to consider both of these, and plan on spending more time over the next couple of days. I will then be writing some action steps and implementing those. Friends, our identity and who we want to become are so important to our character. Let's love our neighbor, even when it is so difficult, knowing where our identity is rooted.
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