Daily Encounter: A Week-day Devotional by a staff of ACTS International.

Monday, November 4, 2013

"But he, willing to justify himself…."¹

Years ago when I was taking a course in counselor training, the lecturer made the comment, "Whatever bothers you is your problem."

His statement was a rude awakening for me. Actually, my biggest problem was that I was in denial about "my" biggest problemâ€"me! I thought my issue at the time was what somebody else had done to me. I, too, was all too willing to justify myself.

I was feeling very hurt but discovered that beneath my hurt was a whole lot of pent-up hurt and anger from past unresolved experiences. I was also in denial about why I was attracted to the person whom I was accusing of hurting me.

What another person does to me may or may not be a problem. How I react is always my responsibility, and to the degree that I overreact that is always my problem.

I need to realize that nobody can hurt my feelings or make me angry without my permission, which, of course, doesn't justify what hurtful things others do to me or what I do to them. If, for example, I am a super-sensitive person because of past hurts, I will usually overreact to people and blame them for hurting my feelings. While the real reason I am SO hurt is because I haven't resolved my hurt from the past.

To overcome relational conflicts both parties need to admit what they are contributing to the issue at hand and see when they are overreactingâ€"and know why! When we overreact, as long as we deny it and justify ourselves, and play the blame game, we will B-LAMEâ€"and never resolve the conflict at hand.

Suggested Prayer: "Dear God, please deliver me from the sin of denial and confront me with the reality of what I am contributing to every conflict in which I find myselfâ€"whether it is at work, home, or with a friend or loved one. Help me to take full responsibility for my feelings, actions, and overreactionsâ€"and stop justifying myself when I am overreacting. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Luke 10:29.

<:))))><

2. To Know God and be sure you're a real
    Christian click on:

3. Donate: To help send Daily Encounter
    without charge to people around the world
    click on:

4. To send today's Daily Encounter to a friend
    click on:

5. To share your faith in a simple, attractive
    way with a friend click on:

6. For today's featured article click on:

7. This week's chuckle as seen "On the Lighter
    Side"  on Weekend Encounter click on:

8. Change Address of your subscription to
    Daily Encounter click on: