There are individuals that claim to be Christ followers, but often leave discipline and spiritual insight in a drawer somewhere at home. They are weak in faith, because of this disregard. As a result of neglect, Christ-like influence suffers and becomes impotent. The attributes of Jesus are seldom seen, since everyday attitude is impaired. This in itself affects personal witnessing for the Lord.
Some immature Christians wear feelings on their sleeve and fall apart when someone fails to measure up to their high; unreasonable expectations. These unrealistic, hard to satisfy individuals create a clouded atmosphere of awkwardness everywhere they go. Family members, friends and people at church find it quite difficult dealing with this level of pettiness. Just being around them is indeed a challenge, to say the least.
The sensitive nature of weak Christians affects their ability to cope with pressing situations. Their faith fluctuates like the colors of a gecko lizard. Judgment varies like the length of a thorn on a rose bush; very difficult to get next to without feeling the affects.
One day they think themselves super spiritual, whereas, the next 24 hours bring frustration, because everything seems to fall apart around them, depending upon their frame of mind that day. Something as trivial as someone failing to shake their hand at church can trigger feelings of being snubbed. This is why it’s so imperative to maintain spiritual maturity and discipline.
The pastor at church could have preached a most wonderful sermon, but since the content of his message caused uncomfortable feelings to surface; convicting the heart of Mr. or Mrs. Sunday morning Christian, they supposed that their toes were purposely stepped on to make a point, thus, they were singled out as an example to the congregation. Personal guilt has a way of bringing on this kind of reaction.
Another perception of the “grinding out your own life” type of Christian is thinking that “Sister Rumor mill” has spread something untrue about them. This paranoia can develop when daily devotionals of prayer and reading the Bible are neglected. Non-assuredness of heart rises to the surface like cream atop milk; but it is sour and of little use. The way they interpret issues determines how reality is viewed, which brings on dilemmas and feelings of persecution. This is no way to live!
Before long, the molehill they have created in their mind escalates into a mountain of misconceptions that allow name calling to raise its ugly head. It is difficult to satisfy and to please such people, because they spend much of their time mulling over past events rather than looking forward to a new day in Christ. This ongoing practice generates an unpleasant up and down behavior that affects everyone around them.
When Christians allow negativism to seize control of emotions, and then interface with suspicion, direction of vision is altered. Thinking begins to vary like the weather. Few landmarks remain visible to help them keep their bearings as they struggle to find their way through the dark clouds that were formed, because they took their eyes off Jesus. Foresight becomes limited; like flying blind.
Besides losing their sense of direction, practical solutions to problems evade them. They live their life in a self-made prison, rather than surrendering their inhibitions and instability to God. Misdirected attitudes and assumptions become their downfall. It’s not a good place to find one self. Remember, God is greater than any problem.
We must guard our mind against pessimistic, critical thinking. Some Christians are prone to church hop, which escalates instability. They are quick to discover imperfection in the churches they visit, but one thing is certain; all churches have the same common denominator. They are filled with imperfect people; sinners saved by grace that are striving to walk in faith.
When oversensitive Believers allow themselves to remain “hogtied”, as it were, to old habits and unhealthy practices, trouble is inevitable. When they submit to disparagement rather than encouraging others in the faith, self righteousness is induced; thinking they are better than those they disapprove of.
They use the magnifying glass of criticism to focus on the inadequacies of others. Seldom do they see themselves as the problem. Picking out the shortcomings of everyone else, they lose sight of the magnificence of Jesus and His ability to help them overcome cynicism and a pessimistic attitude. Spiritual growth slows down, which causes stagnation if change is not implemented.
The goal ahead becomes difficult for them to see. The straight and narrow path that leads to heaven is obscured on their trek of stumbling. Unpredictability buffets them, causing dispositions toward loved ones and friends to become lax and insensitive. They may become crass and cruel at times; creating hurt and resentment in the heart of those on the receiving end. All of the above happens, because discipline and spiritual insight was neglected.
The following illustration is somewhat bland, but true none-the-less. Picnics and backyard barbeques are wonderful times to enjoy family and friends, until the festivities are interrupted by the nit-picker that shows up; the person that left discipline and spiritual insight in a drawer at home.
Things become tense and confusing, because the atmosphere they bring is cold and gloomy. The damp air is charged with down-beat rhetoric they spew regarding every topic that is talked about; finding only the negative in things. You’ve been around them, I’m sure.
These hyper-sensitive people dampen the fun at any gathering. Immediately upon their arrival they are quick to react in ways that resemble yellow jackets at a picnic. You know what they are like; becoming a pest as they get in your face and act like they own the place. Like yellow jackets, they devour their own, because of their predatory disposition.
A honeybee, on the other hand, is seldom aggressive. It quietly minds its manners and gracefully flies from flower to flower gathering its quota of nectar; not causing a scene. They then make a beeline back to the honeycomb without incident. You hardly notice they’re there.
Nothing distracts honeybees from the intended destination; the beehive. It’s a straight flight home; the shortest distance between two points. Their goal is to make it safely to where the queen bee resides and continue being a productive part of its society.
Socializing is most advanced in honeybees. They work well together as team players building honey combs; taking care of one another; honoring the queen and doing her bidding; and attending to the needs of newly born bees.
If only over-sensitive Christians would consider the honeybee as an example to emulate; they could learn helpful hints about successful living. Soon honeybee sweetness would engulf them as they bond with family members and the family of God. They would learn to pull and work together toward common goals in the body of Christ. Enlightened Christians, with new insight, become an important and valuable blessing to others; like the honeybee.
A point of interest: Without bee pollination our food sources would dwindle, causing potential starvation and possible death to humans. Honeybees are vital to the human race. Their presence is needed and wanted, whereas, yellow jackets contribute very little; their company undesirable.
I prefer honeybee living over a yellow jacket existence. I strive to live in harmony rather than the drama that oversensitivity brings. I’m glad God is my strength and that He tempers my disposition at times when tenderness is needed. He helps me stay focused on good things that are vital to my Christian walk.
God can change any personality and improve dispositions in people. Christians need only to learn how to step aside and allow Him to accomplish the task of maturing them, rather than remaining with a yellow jacket mentality.
Written by,
Papa Boyd
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