There are many factors that can influence the way we respond, react and relate to people and situations.

I came to the conclusion that our reality, our feelings, our knowledge (what we know), our spirituality (The Holy Spirit or the demonic), and our experience has a lot to do with how we react, respond and relate to people and situations.

I believe how we often respond or react is always influenced by the above mentioned. Our responses and actions are not empty or void of nothing.

There is something that triggers and lies behind how we respond, react and relate to people or situations.

As sensible people, I do not believe we react or respond because we are clueless. Even in our state of unconsciousness, our response, reaction and relation to people or situations would be based off of what we know or do not know.

In Psychology I learnt of the term “Tabula Rasa”. This can also be referred to as a blank slate and is often used to describe a baby and how they are born without information or knowledge.

According to Psychology, it is through experience that knowledge is acquired. Though I do not fully agree with this, as I believe we were born with innate knowledge, but is developed as we grow.

Have you taken into consideration, a baby and how much they cry whenever they are hungry or their diaper needs to change or are in need of attention?

I am certain, mommy or daddy never taught them that. Have you ever asked yourself, how did they know how to do all of that?

It is because they were born with the innate knowledge of doing those things.

God created them to respond, react and relate to people and situations, and even though they are not so fully aware of what is happening, it is in them to respond the way they do.

There is always something that causes a person to act or behave a certain way. I always often heard it said “you cannot control how people treat you, but you do have control of how you respond”.

You may not be able to control how someone treats you, but you can decide how you treat them.

However, I believe if we are spiritually mentally and emotionally strong, our responses, reactions and relation to people and situation can be a win win.

As a man or woman of God, this is not necessarily being a “yes man” or a “yes woman” but responding accordingly, based on your reality, what you know and what The Holy Spirit tells or shows to you.

Someone may say or do something to you that angers or offends you and because of how you currently feel, your reality, what you know, your spirituality, and your experience, it determines how you respond to that person or situation.

Whether you respond negatively or positively, it all boils down to these factors.

The Bible encourages us to walk in the Spirit and we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh, meaning if we are walking according to the Holy Spirit, we will not give in to the things of the flesh, this includes our feelings.

Apostle Paul says in Galatians 5:17-23,

“…for the flesh lust against the Spirit; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”

 

~ Shelly-Ann Powell

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Shelly-Ann Powell is a woman after God’s heart, founder and director of the Impact Nations For Christ organization whose mission is to empower, strengthen and point humanity to the Savior Jesus Christ.

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