“Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.” Matthew 1:19
How do you react to news that rocks your whole life, destroys your dreams and jeopardizes your reputation? How do you react to people who don’t live up to your expectations? How do you react when things don’t go your way? How do you react to other people when their actions cause you pain and hurt?
Do you get mad and let your anger control you? Does your disappointment defeat you? Are you Hurt? Shamed? Embarrassed? Confused? All of these?
What do you do? Strike back. Lash out. Protect your good name by destroying the other person or persons?
Well, your reactions may be the doorway that either opens or closes the door to be greatly involved in God’s Kingdom plan.
Look at this. In Matthew 1:18 Joseph received earth shattering news. The beautiful young lady he was pledged to be married to was pregnant! And he knew he was not the father! In his mind, her loose actions destroyed his dreams and jeopardized his reputation in the community.
Do you think he was shamed? Embarrassed? Confused? Sure he was.
So what did he do? He decided to privately divorce Mary and not make a public scene. He controlled his emotions, did the right thing and the door to be used by God in a great way opened to him.
It was AFTER he reached his decision that God spoke to him through an angel – NOT BEFORE he reached his decision. When Joseph RE-ACTED in a positive way, then God revealed his plan to Joseph to bring His Son into this world through Mary and included Joseph in that plan by telling him to marry her and protect and lead the family.
I wonder how many times my negative reactions to unpleasant events and people have disqualified me for greater service and opportunities in the Lord’s kingdom? I wonder how many times I have qualified to be used of the Lord in a greater way because I reacted positively in difficult times?
So, the next time things get out of line and your about to lose it and go off on people and say negative and hurtful things to get even, stop and think about it. Could this be a doorway for you? Could this be a qualifying moment for you in God’s kingdom? What do you have to lose or gain by your reactions? You may never know.
Think about it! Especially BEFORE you re-act!
