Sensitivity
“In everything, treat people the same way you want people to treat you.” ~ Matthew 7:12
Sometimes it helps us to better understand ourselves and our circumstances if we first consider the negative rather than the positive impact of our daily actions.
The following time-tested “sensitivity solutions” offer an unbroken cycle of bad attitudes and actions guaranteed to make us and those around us unusually unhappy.
Post these on your desk or work station to insure your whole-hearted compliance.
- I will always be unaware and unconcerned about the needs and feelings of others.
- I will never give people the same rights that I want for myself.
- I will talk when I should be silent. I will tell everything I’ve heard. I will pass it on.
- I will dislike anyone who doesn’t agree with me.
- I will continue to be self-centered so I may be known by, “It’s his/her way or the highway.”
- I will never consider what God expects from me.
Have you considered that God made all people in His image. The Scriptures verify the worth of every individual, past and present. “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God . . . fear not, you are of more value than many sparrows.” Luke 12:6-7
Just being alive subjects us to relationships and opportunities that attract problems. We often excuse our words and actions that are hurtful by saying, “That’s just the way I am.” But, God expects something better from us.
The key to being sensitive is to tune in to the thoughts and feelings of other people. Take time to hear what people are really saying. Take time to care. Give your friendship without any strings attached. Give when someone’s desperate need pounds on your door.
Build self esteem in yourself and others by believing everyone is valuable and worth knowing. Getting along and treating each other with dignity and honor is hard, worthwhile work.
To be sick and tired of how we often think and act is commendable. To be unwilling to change is inexcusable.
“Put away from yourselves every kind of malicious bitterness, anger, agitation, screaming, and abusive speech, as well as everything injurious. But, become kind to one another, tenderly compassionate, freely forgiving one another just as God also by Christ freely forgave you.” ~ Ephesians 4:31-32
Reflections:
All actions, right or wrong, begin with our thoughts. Changing the way we think changes the way we act.