Every day we make choices to either react or respond to situations. We all have a choice to determine who or what is in control. When we react to a situation we allow someone or something to have control over our emotions and thoughts. When we respond to a situation we stay in control and assess the situation with logic. We evaluate the problem and figure out the best way to handle the issue.
Yesterday my car battery died. I remember looking at my phone realizing it was after 5:00 p.m. and most places are closed. I took a moment to process the problem and called for help. While I was waiting, I contacted automotive places to see if they could replace the battery that evening. I received a yes to my request and drove to AutoZone as soon as my car was jumped. Within an hour, I had a new battery in my car and on my way to church for Bible Study.
Imagine if I reacted rather than responded. More than likely, I would have hit the palm of my hand on the steering wheel and became frustrated and angry. I would have started crying and waited longer to call for help. I would have been too emotional for someone to understand my need. And, I would not have had a new battery that night, because I waited too long to call the automotive places.
Responding to a conflict takes thought. It allows you to see the big picture and not allow the emotions to override your logic. You are more productive and time saving when you assess the problem before reacting. You set goals for yourself, and you use your knowledge to get to the end result quicker.
Reacting to conflict wastes time and energy. It is an unproductive emotion that causes you to be overwhelmed with your thought process. You can easily jump to conclusions and have poor communication to ask for help. Reacting causes you to respond immediately without thinking about the consequences of your emotions and actions. You live in the moment rather than find a solution.
APPLICATION
Do you react or do you respond? If you react to situations, what was the end result? Did you deal with the consequences of your actions? I encourage you to be aware of how you respond to conflict, and how you can better handle a situation. Life is filled with unpredictable circumstances, but we all can take control of the situation and make the best of it.
Faith.Hope.Love 
Reblogged this on Thoughts to Ponder and commented:
Bonus Blog for the Week: Reacting vs. Responding
Do you react or do you respond? If you react to situations, what was the end result? Did you deal with the consequences of your actions? I encourage you to be aware of how you respond to conflict, and how you can better handle a situation. Life is filled with unpredictable circumstances, but we all can take control of the situation and make the best of it.
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So much of life we can’t control, but we can always control our reactions or our behavior. Sometimes getting emotional about something is important, because we may need to just blow off some steam. But just wallowing in feelings and not doing anything doesn’t fix the situation at all.
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I agree not all emotions are bad. Some are there to give us warnings when we are threatened. This post is about unhealthy emotions. The ones that make us say things we shouldn’t say or do things we shouldn’t do. When we are emotional we need to make sure we do not do anything to lose our control over the situation. I feel that if you have a problem with someone or something, the conversation needs to be respected on both sides with a calm environment with no yelling or unnecessary words. State the facts and say how it makes you feel without reacting to that emotion.
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All conflict needs a resolution. I hope my blog did not state that you just wallow in your emotions with no resolution. I was just trying to state the importance of self-control.
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Oh yes, self control is so important. And I didn’t think this post focuses on the negative aspect of emotions at all. I really liked the way you related how you handled the experience, how you could have approached it, and what the outcome was, and that you felt satisfied with the outcome.
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Thank you! With my experience, I was able to get results quicker by staying calm and focused. Every situation is different and sometimes more emotions are involved, which is okay. As long as our goal is to find a solution, we are on the right track to making good decisions for a better result.
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