Don't Give Up on Joy!

    Do you give up easily? When you are facing a tough task, are you easily discouraged? Do you prefer a challenge to the proverbial "piece of cake"?  If I am well-rested, feeling healthy, and everything is right with the world, then I may be up to it; but more often than not, I prefer to walk away.
    I don't walk away easily from relationships though. I have learned some things about how I deal with important people in my life. Maybe some of them will help you.
----I used to say, 'I'm sorry,' too quickly, simply to keep the peace and not have people angry at me. I don't do that anymore. I sometimes mull over the situation to try to discover under-lying issues that are lurking there. Do I need that person to not be upset with me? Did I really do or say something offensive or was their perception of my words the issue? Do I have other unresolved problems with this person?
----I consider the life situation of the person I'm struggling with at the moment. Am I a safe person for them to vent to, dump on, or be angry at ... and do they need such a safe person right now? Are they hurting over some other painful issue right now, and can't talk directly about it?
----When I do confront, do I do so only after discussing it with the Lord and listening carefully for His nudging? Do I write it out first to rid myself of the unhelpful feelings that might be impairing my vision...and then go on to discover the truths that I need to recognize? Do I confront with "preparation" instead of "exasperation?"
     We cannot make anyone else respond positively to us. But we can enhance the chance that others will be open to discussion and possible reconciliation if we practice prayerful, careful, respectful conflict resolution.
     JOY CAN COME ONCE MORE IF WE DON'T GIVE UP TOO EASILY ON VITAL RELATIONSHIPS.