WHEN SOMEONE ANNOYS YOU

I used to work in Downtown Dallas and I was asked to come in an hour early to work on a project. I was walking to the building from the parking lot. It was still dark outside and traffic was light, so I decided to jaywalk in the middle of the block instead of crossing at the corner as I usually did. I was walking with a spring in my step and singing out loud that last song that was playing on my car radio. As I stepped up onto the curb, the front of my sandal caught on the curb and caused me to body slam downward onto the concrete pavement. OUCH!

Humiliated, I jumped back up and dusted myself off, grabbed my purse and continued down the sidewalk. I arrived ten minutes early and had time to fix coffee and meet my teammates at the assigned time, but no one showed up. I was the only one that came in for the project. Imagine my dismay and my disappointment.

I had not been given any specifics for the project, which were to be outlined that same morning, so I dived in using my own best judgments as I proceeded. An hour and twenty minutes later, my teammates rambled in after I had progressed well into the project. The person that had the lead on the project began to walk back most of my progress by changing the decisions I had made.

This had been one of “those” mornings. I had fallen victim to the concrete pavement and to annoying and untrustworthy teammates. Now, I’m having to retrace my steps at no fault of my own. I’ll be honest, I was visibly disturbed, but I kept my mouth shut.

She had no way of knowing that I was having a bad morning prior to her intrusion, and the part she had played in it by being an hour and twenty minutes late.

I am one of those people that try to choose my battles wisely. I think if I had said anything, instead of keeping my mouth shut, it may not have come out the way I intended.

Later in the day, after I’d recovered, I did let her know that I was having a Murphy’s Law kind of morning, and the reasons I totally disagreed with her changes. I was able to forgive all the team members that left me high and dry there before the crack of dawn.

I pride myself on being an employee with integrity and have very little patience for those whose apathy effects my ability to do my job well. But there are so many personality types in the workplace, and no two are alike. It is imperative that we learn to watch our step with others who may not think, nor act just like us.

So, how should we respond when dealing with annoying people? The psalmist that wrote Psalm 121 said it best. “I will lift up my eyes to the hills... From whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. The LORD is my keeper; the LORD is the shade at my right hand. The LORD shall preserve my going out and my coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.”

It is my opinion, that the wise thing to do is to get to know those who labor among us, using wisdom and counsel from the LORD in our dealings with them for the good of all… because we cannot change everybody. The lesson I learned in dealing with that particular coworker, was if I was going to be involved in a project with her, it was necessary to get all the information I needed up front, then I would not have to depend on her input to complete it.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

LORD HELP ME WITH PEOPLE

An introvert is an individual who often feels more comfortable and energized in solitary or low-stimulus environments. They tend to prefer deep, one-on-one interactions over large group settings, and often seeks balance with moments of solitude following social engagements.

Those with the introvert personality trait are often introspective and realistic about their own flaws, and critical about the flaws of others. They tend to gravitate toward a small number of solid friendships rather than surrounding themselves with a bunch of acquaintances. They tend to enjoy creative aspects of self-expression such as art, writing, and music.

Prayer, meditation, and waiting upon God often require long periods of stillness to be effective. Introverts are often better at meditation, studying, and writing because it complements their natural tendencies. God created us with varying strengths and personality types. He can use anyone who submits to Him, and He is often most glorified through our weaknesses because His strength is made perfect in our weakness.

When introverts have totally submitted their lives to the lordship of Jesus Christ, they can be mighty prayer warriors, mentors, and teachers. Spirit-filled introverts use their God-given nature for the glory of God and relish long, fruitful times of worship, soul-searching, and Bible study.

There are a few things that can hinder an introvert’s service to God. When their natural tendencies of introversion are threatened, introverts often withdraw from people. They may refuse to engage with others as instructed in Scripture. This kind of solitude limits them spiritually. Introspection can also lead to a critical spirit. A healthy self-image is one in which we see ourselves as God does: no better and no worse. We are to see ourselves as “God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (Ephesians 2:10).

Whether introverted or extroverted, Christians need to remember that their temperaments are gifts from God to be used for His glory.

Excerpt from:  

https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-introvert.html

I sincerely want to foster good, healthy relationships with fellow Christians… so I break agreement with the idea that my introvert personality type causes me to withdraw from people. I come into agreement with the word of God that says, “He who loves a fellow believer is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble.” (1 John 2:10)

Let brotherly love continue. (Hebrews 13:1)

Those who love God must also love their fellow believers. (1 John 4:21)

PLEASE PRAY FOR ME. 🛐

 

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

MY SIN AND GOD'S GRACE

The same year that I came to Christ (1999) was the same year that I married my first husband. We were together 8 years when we split up. We were legally separated, but not divorced.

Two years after we split up, I was re-acquainted with a former boyfriend from 20 years earlier. Then I moved in with him and we shacked up for 3½ years. During that 3½ years, I did not work for 17 months. We struggled financially, so I was not able to afford a divorce. But I kept praying to God about this predicament, that He would bless me with the resources to resolve it.

Thankfully, my relationship with the Lord was not strained. The Lord never left me. He did not seem to be unhappy with me at all. But I prayed about it continually because I did not want to be living in sin. To add insult to injury, my then common-law husband was not even in church.

So, let's add this all up. I was legally married to one man and still going by his last name… shacking up with another man who was not even in church… and, I was teaching Sunday School at my church most of that time.

Now that's messy!

Throughout all that time, and in all my praying... I continued to feel the presence of the Lord. He anointed my teaching and elevated my studies. He told me to accept His grace for His grace was sufficient to cover my frailties.

My first husband graciously paid for our divorce himself, and my common-law husband and I went to the courthouse and got legally married. And we have been a happily married couple since 2014.

Think what you may about my shameful actions, but you cannot take away my experiences with God. He loved me through it all, and never dismissed me, nor turned His back on me, even though I was caught up in blatant sin for an extended period of time.

In conclusion, God's gift to mankind is His love. And His love never fails. Prophecies may fail, tongues will cease, knowledge will vanish away... but God's love will never, ever fail.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

THE WAY OF GRACE

I saw a commercial of a man and his wife driving down the road following the GPS (Global Positioning System) on their way to someone’s wedding. The wife stated that she did not want to be late, so the husband veered off the road that GPS was directing them on, and took a fork in the road that led to a quicker way. He said that the GPS coordinates did not know that back road. He knew the back roads (the narrow path) that GPS did not use.

The wide gate is the entrance that engages other world religions, while the narrow gate is faith in Jesus that leads to eternal life when we pass away. Jesus is the Savior (or narrow way) that leads to life after death. The road is difficult (strait, narrow, hard, and small) because many will find it hard to believe that Jesus is the only entrance to life after death. They continue down the broad path and miss heaven completely.

Many people would rather create their own religions and design their own gods. So, it was in sorrow (not discrimination), that Jesus declared that the road to eternal life is narrow… and unfortunately, only a few find it. Their GPS coordinates is leading them down the broad path instead of the narrow way.

Related Scriptures

Matthew 7:13-14 NKJV Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

John 8:32 NKJV And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

John 10:7 NKJV Then Jesus said to them again, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

John 10:9 NKJV I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

John 14:6 NKJV Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Acts 4:12 NKJV Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

Romans 5:1-2 NKJV Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Ephesians 2:18 NKJV For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

1 Timothy 2:5 NKJV For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove