When I come across people like Angry Man, over the years I have learned that the best way to deal with them is to pray for them. When I pray for someone, my attitude towards the individual changes. As I've prayed for AM, I've become aware of some of the pain and stress in his life. I understand why he is so angry, and why he feels the need to control something. Recognizing his pain, I can have more compassion and avoid responding with anger and defensiveness. This ability is a gift from God, not something I can do on my own.
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Today I had a very crazy day scheduled. Two gifts eased the stress considerably: 1. Daughter woke up this morning complaining of not feeling well and asked to stay home. I could have convinced her to go to the workshop, but decided to view this as the gift of 40 minutes, since it meant I didn't have to go to Town to pick her up before taking her to an appointment with her diabetes doctor in the opposite direction. 2. The people I was planning to visit had forgotten another commitment. I'll get back with them next week. That freed up even more time, which I am using on sermon preparation.
2 comments:
Hi,
I just found your blog and have read a few of your most recent posts. Just thought I'd say "hi." I have a younger brother with special needs (he's 30, lives in a group home, and his disability is way more severe that your daughter's-he functions as a six year-old). I also left a church 18 months ago that had its own Angry Man...actually, a bunch of Angry People.
Hi,
It's nice to meet you. It sounds like we have some things in common.
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