Sorry I have been a little MIA, between work, school, and Sofia it’s been a little hectic. So you may be thinking odd title? Or what is this going to be about. Let me give you some background on this, I promise it will make sense.

I don’t like to admit this, so I am being  100% honest when I tell you I struggle in how I respond to others. Let me give you an example that involves my sister Rebecca. She would call me or coukd ask me a question and my response would be “what?” And in not the best tone either. This is not something I am proud of and even worse I struggle with it time to time.

A few months ago Rebecca brought it to my attention and it bothered me. I wanted to know why I responded like that towards her. Did she upset me? No Was it something I didn’t want to hear? No….so why am I responding in a negative and unloving way? I was listening to Joyce Meyer one of my favorite speakers and a teaching resonated with me. I am allowing my emotions to lead. Woah? Anyone who knows me well….knows I am a very emotional person. It’s a good and bad thing. Am I allowing my responses to others to be led by  my emotions? My emotions change every day sometimes several times. Do I want to be known as someone who is unkind, or rude? NO…. so I started to examine my heart. In Joyce’s teaching her challenge was to “choose how you will respond, it’s your choice on how you respond.” Don’t allow your emotions to take over, it can lead you down a destructive path.

I started writing down how certain situations make me feel….there it is feelings can change so quickly. How can I make small changes? Trust me this is more difficult than you think at least for me. I have begun to ask God to show me when I am going to respond, BEFORE I begin ask myself. Will this be kind? How will my tone be? I have to really work at this in some instances with my family, my 3 year old and friends.

So this is my question to you, do you struggle in how you respond to others? Can someone make you so angry or influence your mood? Be honest with yourself….if so I encourage you choose how you are going to respond. Don’t repond out of anger, frustration, it’s easy to lose your temper. Next time your faced with a difficult situation, person think “Am I responding based on how I feel?” So… How will you choose to respond?