Saturday 21 January 2023

Reflex Reaction

 

There are times in life when bad things happen, very bad things. It could be news about health, ours or a loved one's, or a tragic accident, or a financial or marital situation. All sorts of things unexpectedly come our way and our first reaction is to panic, to get in shock, disbelief, fear and worries take over our mind and our very being. 

This is only natural. It is our human nature to behave so. Fight or flight reflex goes back to early man. 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Some have interpreted this saying of Jesus as meaning that God does not want us to be weighed down. He wants us to give us rest in life; and His purpose for us is not an onerous one or an unbearable burden. He wants us to enjoy this life and not endure it as a punishment or a trial. And when  things go wrong we don't have to carry the load alone because we are yoked to Jesus. God will not give us a load that is too much for us to carry.

But there is more to it than just that. What Jesus is saying here is that when things go wrong we should turn to Him and share our troubles. Our first reflex reaction should be to turn to Him instinctively. 

Of course, often this is not the case, but once the original shock has subsided a little, we should immediately turn to Christ and hand the whole situation to Him. This act of faith, blind faith perhaps, born out of desperation, connects us to God in a way we cannot even imagine. 

The pressure of the moment may compel us to react in a human way; but at the very least, for a split second perhaps, we should instinctively put the situation in God's hands in the sure knowledge that He will handle it according to His will. He has brought us to this moment in life and He will see us through it.

This simple act of handing the situation over to God opens a channel of Divine activity. We are in fact acknowledging His omnipotence and acquiescing that in all things His will be done.

Our first move should be to hand over the distressing event to God, and then patiently wait and watch His power and intervention in action.

If God wants us to act in any way, He will show us what to do or say and how to do it. Our role is to hand over the situation and patiently wait in all the trust and faith we can muster that He is in control.

24 comments:

  1. ...I count to ten before I react.

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  2. I agree with you here Victor. Even if our faith in what God will do in our situations sometimes, He can increase it through His Word spoken to us daily.

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    1. Should have said 'if our faith is weak sometimes '

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    2. True, the initial shock of something happening can weaken our faith; but our prayer is proof that we still believe in God.

      God bless, Brenda.

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  3. Dearest Victor,
    That is our ONLY way of manoeuvring through life to our final destination. People seem to forget THAT final part...
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  4. I totally agree, that's what God is there for.

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  5. What a splendid solution. Now, if I can just commit it to memory.
    Here's a quote from our Bible study I think you might enjoy: "The enemy of our souls is lazy. He won't try any harder than he has to in order to get us off-track. He doesn't have to make us evil; he only needs to make us afraid."

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    1. You got it in one, Mevely. Your Bible study is correct. The devil succeeds by just making us afraid. He knows each person's weakness and secret fear and plays on that fear to derail us away from God. I know what I speak of here.

      God bless you always my friend.

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  6. I usually do turn to God first, during the bad times and the good things!

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  7. The best advice ever is to place all our worries and troubles into God's most capable hands. Then we wait, in prayer and trust, knowing in His time, He will heal and answer.
    Blessings, Victor!

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    1. Yes indeed Martha. Good advice always.

      God bless you.

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  8. So often I try to do it myself. Even though I know I can't and need God.

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    1. I agree Liz. Often, it is our first instinct that takes over a difficult situation and we try to take control, we flounder, we panic perhaps; instead of handing it all to God.

      May God bless you.

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  9. Listening to God and placing everything in His hands is a recipe for less stress and more joy. Thank you
    God bless always

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    1. Thank you so much for your visit here Grams; please call again soon.

      God bless.

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