Have you ever had a dude who just get up in your crawl? I mean, you just want to take their head off, and sometimes you would feel justified about it. There’s this nameless dude, (don’t ask Mr. Jones!) who just is Mr Negativity. Let’s call him Droopy. However, I think that might doing his attitude a favor! I have been struggling with how to deal with this concern, because it just does not help my day, or my co workers day.
I had a course of action set in place, up the management chain I was heading, I had had enough! Then I started to think about two things. First, there’s this other dude at work who we will call Wade. (not his real name). Wade, is like super nice – always ready to serve, and I mean always. As I matter of fact, his Labor Day was ruined(my word, not his) by a mistake of another person and he was like “as long as its working, I am OK”. Man, what a fantastic attitude. ( esp versus mine, I mean really, I think I am upset so much by Droopy, because sometimes dealing with him is like looking in a mirror for me.)
Then last night, I was meeting with a group of men, and we were talking about Proverbs and some of the Proverbs about your words, and how to deal with people. The conversation wandered, and some directions that just can never be explained, but eventually got around to co workers and our speech and words with them. One of the dudes(that’s my word of the day) mentioned this verse:
If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him—work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you’ve made a friend. Matthew 18:15 (MSG)
So that brought me back to Droopy and Wade. Maybe the right thing, based on this principle is a direct attack. But not really an attack. Could I mix the encouragement from Wade’s attitude, and the teachings of our Christ, and the words of wisdom from Proverbs together and gain the direction and strength to turn what could be a real issue into a positive and productive situation?
I guess we will see how that goes, but I think it will be heading in a better direction if I take a better position on this situation. How about you, do you have similar issues where you attitude can greatly impact the outcome and the lives of others?
There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18 ESV
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Proverbs 25:11 ESV
Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Proverbs 17:27 ESV
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.Proverbs 15:1 ESV
