Surviving Self

It seems so easy to fall into self sufficiency in my life. Why is that, is it that I get to points in my life where I feel that I have things figured out? Is it the fact that I am just so brilliant? (Just kidding, I promise) I don't have things figured out, that is for sure. I think that it is because we always feel that we are in the right and that to justify that, when someone does something that goes against our grain, it is easier to point the finger at why they are in the wrong than to look at things from their point of view. This doesn't mean that they are correct, but it helps us not be so self absorbed. Because, sometimes we are not right. This is especially hard for believers I think, cuz we always think that we are right. What is funny is that there are a lot of musicians out there that are not Christians, yet I get blessed by some lyrics that they write. Then on the other spectrum, I think of some "Christian" artists that our writing some pretty weighty lyrics that even would make a believer get born again. I mean, some of the things that are sung are a little unbelievable to me. I am not judging anyone, I promise, I am just bringing up the discussion. I know some Christians who do not listen to anything secular, and that is fine, but some I have talked with act like to not listen to all Christian influenced music is pagan. This is ridiculous to me. Another thing is this; how are we to be reflective of Christ when we shutter to think that things are going down the drain. Examples: loosing your job, not having enough stuff, no promotion, wrecked car, got a ticket...etc. When disaster strikes, what do we do? Fight or flight? Do we try to handle it on our own, or do we reflect in prayer? If God doesn't answer immediately, do we give up or keep trying? Believe me, I have and haven't had this problem in my life. I mean, it is easy to try to handle things on our terms, but in the end I think that patience, prayer, and pressing forward is what works better. Not faster, but better. When someone wrongs us, do we get mad and blow up, or do we try to see things from their point of view? If we do get mad, do we try to reconcile our difference? I think of how Jesus handled the Pharisees when they questioned the way in which he did his ministry. Like when they asked, "Why do your disciples not obey our age-old tradition of washing their hands before eating?" Matthew 15:1-12 Jesus did not get bent and get in an argument, he explained and basically threw it back on them because they were so caught up in customs and tradition. So, I think that from now on when adversity is presented to me, I will try my best to bite my tongue before I ruin a friendship, witness, and or job. Cuz blood in my mouth is better than blood on the floor!