Reaction check-up

Life is going so fast.  And I think in my attempt to keep up with it and to be able to function, I haven’t found ways to communicate what is going on in my life right now.  Many times over the past few months, I’ve remembered and told myself that I should write a new post on my blog—but somehow, even when I have had the time, the thoughts haven’t been full…or I’ve struggled with what I want to say and put up on the internet. J

The past two weekends I even came up with topics for my blog.  Two weeks ago I was supposed to take pictures and talk about things that have become normal to me since living in Cambodia.  Last week I was going to write about how Asian Hungarian culture is.  Which both might happen soon!

But today something different.  I have been learning a lot about myself lately.  Life is not as smooth as I thought it was going to be, and as new situations come up, it’s interesting to notice my natural reaction.  For example, I’ve never had a problem with following rules, but I am finding now that boundaries that are put up that I don’t completely agree with are difficult and don’t bring out the best in me.  Also, realizing the influence I can have whether good or bad, simply by the way I walk through the door has to change the way that I react to the thousands of things that happen in a day. 

So this morning at church the sermon was on suffering, from 1 Peter.  It’s a topic that I have discussed in many one-on-one conversations, many Bible studies, I’ve lead classes on the issue…it’s not something I haven’t thought about.  But usually the conversations have to do with the presence of suffering rather than the reaction to suffering.  This morning one of the key phrases mentioned was “the presence of suffering does not necessarily mean you are in the wrong place or doing the wrong thing”.  Which is true when I think about it, it makes sense.  But I have never thought of it that clearly before.  Pain is not something I readily welcome into my life…not many people do—but I think my natural conclusion with pain is that there is something that needs to be changed…whether that is me, or the people around me.  The situation or my location.  But the presence of suffering does not mean we have to change something, it doesn’t always mean that I need to make adjustments to make the suffering stop.  Such a simple concept, but so complex at the same time.  The hardships, conflicts, frustrations that may be going on can be part of the life-process rather than a clue to turn the other direction.  For me this is an important thought right now as I react to everyday situations.  I hope this encourages you too.

More to come on life in Cambodia.  For sure. J