![\"Reflex](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/davidcprice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/09\/reflex-hammer1.jpg?resize=497%2C153\" "\\"Reflex")
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What do you do when you feel absolutely overwhelmed by life?\u00a0 When you are trying to live a life of integrity, like I talked about yesterday<\/a>, but attacks come from every side?\u00a0 What do you do when, like David talks about in the Psalms, there are “those who speak evil against my life.”\u00a0 How do you respond?<\/p>\n I know for me, the first thought is to strike back! Been there?\u00a0 Yeah, I think it’s just our nature.\u00a0 The question is whether or not that is the right thing, the noble thing, the godly thing…even the helpful<\/em> thing.\u00a0 I know that the times I have reacted<\/em> have been the times that things have been the most chaotic and destructive.\u00a0 Most of the time, I have to go back and apologize and hope for a mulligan.\u00a0 The key, then, is not to react<\/em>, but to respond<\/em>.<\/p>\n A reaction is like being tapped below the knee cap, causing an involuntary, thoughtless jerk.\u00a0 “Jerk” is probably a good word to describe us when we simply give a “knee-jerk” reaction to attacks and circumstances, isn’t it?<\/p>\n A response, on the other hand, implies calculation, thought, intentionality.\u00a0 At least it does to me.\u00a0 When I react, I lash out.\u00a0 When I respond, I take the time to think it through and then conduct myself according to those plans.\u00a0 It’s harder, but most definitely better.\u00a0 In the end, it takes less time because I don’t have to go through all of the pain of fixing what I just made worse.<\/p>\n There are certainly times when a response may call for firmness and directness.\u00a0 There are times when confrontation (even sometimes heated) is required.\u00a0 However, this kind of exchange as a thoughtless reaction will hardly ever (if ever) provide satisfying results.<\/p>\n There are other times, though, when the best response is no response. Sometimes, people act in ways that are so ludicrous that it doesn’t even justify a response.\u00a0 Attacks that are based on and built upon lies will not, in the end, stand.\u00a0 Sure, they will hurt for a while and there may be some people who believe them, but fighting back just plays right into the hands of the Enemy<\/a>.\u00a0 Sometimes, the very best approach is to just sit still, place it in the hands of God and let Him deal with it as He wants to.\u00a0 He’s big enough to do that, you know.<\/p>\n I was exploring this subject more in depth this morning and came across the following excerpt from a post by John Piper from way back in 1981<\/a>.\u00a0 It was an incredible encouragement to me.\u00a0 Hopefully, it will be to you.\u00a0 Let me know what you think on the subject.<\/p>\n Sennacherib, king of Assyria, came up against Jerusalem when Hezekiah was king. So Hezekiah gathered the people and the commanders together in the square at the gate. If you memorize what he said to them you will know the power of God in a new way. He said:<\/p>\n Be strong and be courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with them; for there is one greater with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles.<\/p>\n Then the writer adds, \u201cAnd the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah, king of Judah\u201d (2 Chronicles 32:7<\/a>, 8<\/a>).<\/p>\n I want it to be said of me, \u201cThe people took confidence from the words of John Piper, pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church.\u201d That\u2019s my goal: \u201cthe advancement and joy of your faith.\u201d What is the \u201cKing of Assyria\u201d in your life? Whatever it is, remember: \u201cthere is one greater with you than with him!\u201d If you trust him, the LORD almighty is on your side and will fight your battles! \u201cFear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today\u2026The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be still\u201d<\/em><\/strong> (Exodus 14:13<\/a>, 14<\/a>). (emphasis added<\/em>)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n