"The Abundance of the Free Favour of the Lord." Luke 4:18-19
Hi Visitor,
A reaction is instinctive. A response is intentional. When you react, you surrender control to emotion. When you respond, you reclaim control through wisdom. In conflict, your response shapes the outcome more than the conflict itself.
Jesus exemplified this when falsely accused before Pilate. He remained silent, refusing to be drawn into emotional traps (Matthew 27:14). His calm response was not weakness, it was authority anchored in purpose. He knew who He was. He did not need to defend Himself to be victorious.
Empathy helps you pause. It allows you to assess, not explode. When you understand what the other person is going through, you choose compassion over combat. This makes your response powerful and productive.
Think of a recent disagreement. Did you react, or did you respond? How did it affect the direction of the conversation? What could have changed if empathy had guided your reply?
Today, commit to pausing before you speak in tense moments. Breathe. Think. Then speak with empathy. Let your words reflect not just your thoughts, but also your heart. Responses build bridges. Reactions burn them.
Ask yourself: What usually triggers my reactions in conflict? What can I do differently to pause, evaluate, and respond in a way that heals, not harms?
“Responding is a choice. Reacting is a habit. The difference is growth.”
Lord, give me the wisdom to pause and the strength to respond with empathy. Help me break the cycle of reaction and become a peacemaker in every situation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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