Several weeks ago, I did some thing unusual. Nothing that was out of character, it simply wasn't that big a deal. It was unusual for me to do it. Something I only do once in a blue moon. A friend complimented me rather lavishly and effusively (for this person's style) on this thing I did.
The "thing" is not important. Neither is the "who." What is the point is the meandering my mind took and the reaction it sparked in me.
For several hours afterward, I found myself bristling at the compliment. Frustration and annoyance hung over me like a cloud.
The "thing" is not important. Neither is the "who." What is the point is the meandering my mind took and the reaction it sparked in me.
For several hours afterward, I found myself bristling at the compliment. Frustration and annoyance hung over me like a cloud.
"Why does she only compliment me so eloquently when I do this thing?"
"Is the normal that I do not acceptable to her regularly?"
"Why does this Thing prompt such a response in her?"
"Why does she go so overboard when I do The Thing?"
"Is the normal SOO unacceptable to her that when I do THE THING,
she's trying hard to encourage me to keep on doing
THE THING more frequently?"
"Is the normal that I do not acceptable to her regularly?"
"Why does this Thing prompt such a response in her?"
"Why does she go so overboard when I do The Thing?"
"Is the normal SOO unacceptable to her that when I do THE THING,
she's trying hard to encourage me to keep on doing
THE THING more frequently?"
You see, the thing got bigger and bigger the longer I allowed myself to dwell on it. It got weightier and bolder and harsher each time I mulled it over. THE THING dominated my day.
Why do I let that happen in my brain? Why do I let my heart be bound by my ridiculous reaction to another person's expression of an opinion of me? (And for the record, she was being so nice. What is wrong with me?!) Why do I then let those bounds multiply exponentially till they tangle my mind and cut off circulation of THE TRUTH in my heart?
Why do I let that happen in my brain? Why do I let my heart be bound by my ridiculous reaction to another person's expression of an opinion of me? (And for the record, she was being so nice. What is wrong with me?!) Why do I then let those bounds multiply exponentially till they tangle my mind and cut off circulation of THE TRUTH in my heart?
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete. You are looking only on the surface of things. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as he. For even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than pulling you down, I will not be ashamed of it. (2 Corinthians 10: 3-8) - bolded portions my own notation
And that's the TRUTH of the matter.
I just need to get lined up with it.
I just need to get lined up with it.
4 comments:
Well - OK - but don't feel too alone!! We all feel that way from time to time, I'm thinking it's just the nature of being 'human'! Kind of why the Lord spoke words like those (through men like Paul) - to help keep us on track when the nature of our 'human-ness' (is that a word?) get in the way!
hugs - and we love ya regardless!
aus and co.
I see he uses some of the same tactics on you that he uses on me... My weapon of choice for this is praise and worship music but yes, far too often I allow my mind to go there without choosing to interrupt the lies! Thanks for sharing from the gut. - Vonda
Yep, don't feel alone. I think many of us struggle in this.
If you look up the meaning of the word captive, well that puts it in perspective. He knew how our minds work, since He created them.
HUGS!
Maybe it's something that she would consider to be a big deal for her to do for someone else, and so she is really appreciate/impressed that you would do it. (That's just what popped into my head reading your post.)
If she's the type you can joke around with, I would respond with something like, "Just so you don't expect me to be this nice all the time!" or something like that. :)
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