Proactive vs Reactive

I’m sure you may have heard a portion of the saying, “ Life is 10 percent of what happens to you and 90 percent how you react to it,” by Charles Swindoll. It’s best  to start with a plan for preparation of life happenings; births, deaths,injuries, and financial changes, and concerns. Even with financial increases, we have to be prepared. If you can’t budget $20, how will you budget $200,000? Life doesn’t just throw us negative situations, often we can’t handle the blessings because we move with our heart and adrenaline. If you change my salary from $50,000 to $100,00 if I am reactive instead of proactive, I’m running out to get that BMW i8. On the other hand if I prepare and have a plan in place, being proactive for that increase that I’ve earned, that bonus $50,000 can be used to clear up some debt,pay off credit cards/ personal loans, old accounts, medical bills and create a savings that can be used for emergencies. Being proactive means taking responsibility for your life and your actions rather than just watching life unfold. On the other hand, being Reactive leads one quite in the opposite direction. We allow our circumstances and conditions to control us.

One of my passions is in Instructional technology (educational technology). It has been a passion of mine for awhile and I was fortunate enough to explore it as a career. Myself, along with other colleagues, have provided training in various locations. With one particular project, an organization wanted to receive training on a day that was not agreed upon, as well as tailor the training to fit their individual needs and not as a whole group. All of this was not part of the original plan and besides I said the same no for the same reason to an individual, hence finalizing my decision for this same project (just a year later).  As a result, I politely declined to provide the training. I know you may ask yourself how could I say “no” to them, or wow, I can say “no”. If you chose the second response, Good for YOU! 

After I told the group no, they didn’t stop there. They proceeded to move up the ladder requesting the no to be overturned. Furthermore as I proceeded about my daily routines at work, I receive popped lips, head turns, straight up “mean group” situations (LOL) and went on to be ignored (even when I made attempts to speak). Did it bother me, YES! Did I react, NO! I ignored those quarrels because when I come across such work related situations, I’m a firm believer in being proactive with the following scripture below;

Romans 12:17-19(NKJV) – 17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have[a] regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 

Now, I’m not saying the lord will make sure all of them have flat tires by the evening but I can attest to you that having the strength to leave it in Gods’ hands and not react like my flesh wanted me too, left me with PEACE!

Prayer

Lord please give us the strength to be quick to listen and slow to speak in all that life situations brings us.  Help us to apply ROMANS 12:17-19 in our daily living. Amen!