When it comes to our emotional needs, we do have gut, knee-jerk reactions, too. But are those reactions always the best solutions? A response is different than a reaction. A response is more thought-out. A response can be more tempered. A response can make you choose the exact opposite of your initial reaction.
Life is difficult at times, but each difficulty is an opportunity to grow in virtue and character. It may not feel like an opportunity, a positive thing, in the moment. But you can work to turn all things to good. You can make a choice and have a response that would lead to a better outcome for you.
Take, for instance, a situation where you were hurt by another. Your initial reaction may be to hurt them back, to verbally attack them, to walk away, or any other similar action. But, with some time and thought, you may be able to do what may have been initially unthinkable. You can respond with forgiveness.
Personally, I have been intrigued by forgiveness for quite a while (long before I made "A Way to Forgiveness"). I am fascinated by people's ability to forgive some incredible hurts. Many years ago, I read a story about a man who forgave his daughter's killer, visited that man in prison, and even ended up speaking on his behalf at his parole hearing.
Forgiveness was clearly was not a quick journey for that father, but it shows a response that is different than a reaction. I invite you to do the same.
