Before You React - Reflect and Then Act
Before You React - Reflect and Then Act
In a world of quick decisions, instant gratification, and swiping left, we need to slow down. Don't just react - reflect and then act.
Quick Reactions
Swipe left. Swipe left. Swipe right. Swipe left. In the age of social media, apps, and instant gratification, we make quick reactions to everything. By the time you’ve read this 3rd sentence, you’ve already decided whether to keep reading.
But before you swipe left on this article, stick with me for a minute!
Grabbing your attention is hard. I have a split second to convince you to open and read this article. I need a headline that grabs attention, a cover image that sparks curiosity, and content that challenges or inspires you. Within a split second, you will react and decide what decision to make.
If I’m lucky enough, you might open and read what I have to say, but then getting a further action, such as a like, comment, or share, is even harder.
Our attention spans are short, and quick reactions are simply a part of life. But when it comes to your faith, and your life in general, do not just react to the world around you - reflect and then act.
Quick Decisions
Quick reactions are just quick decisions at their core, but do you see them that way? Every reaction you make, no matter how small, involves a choice. Are you actively making that choice or simply following your first instinct?
Too many quick decisions lead to impulsiveness - something I have struggled with most of my life. I’m not afraid to act. Unfortunately, quick decisions have led to poor decisions. I did not take the time to think it through.
Those quick decisions always have consequences. Eventually, you will deal with the ramifications of those choices.
Poor reactions lead to poor decisions which lead to poor results.
The Remedy
A few weeks ago, I challenged you to ask yourself one simple question. That is an exercise in pausing before making a decision. Instead of reacting, you are reflecting and then acting.
This does not require deep prayer - it simply requires awareness. Be aware of the decisions you are making. Instead of passively following your first reaction, take a moment to reflect and make a better decision.
Your first reactions are usually based on instinct or raw emotion, but reflection brings in your deeper thoughts, controlled feelings, and measured faith. By taking a few extra moments, you are allowing yourself to quickly discern which decision brings you closer to God. You begin to have directional faith.
After you reflect, then you act. Let your reflection become action.
Actions based on even the smallest reflections will lead you closer to God than your initial reactions ever will.
Inviting God Into Your Daily Life
The evil one knows who you are. He wants you simply to react to the challenges and temptations thrown in front of you - regardless of how good they may initially seem. Simply reacting allows him to get his claws in deeper.
Reflecting on what God wants from you takes away that power from him, and instead, invites God into your decision making process.
Many struggle with living out their faith daily, and this is the solution. Making decisions jointly with the Holy Spirit is what develops your faith. Instead of inviting God into the conversation at the end of the day in prayer, He will be ever-present in each decision you make.
Don’t just react - reflect and then act. Remember, it is a lot easier to pause for a moment in prayer to make a good decision than it is to clean up the mess from a bad one.
And in one last moment of reflection and action, make sure to share this post with someone who needs it, subscribe if you haven’t, and then watch this short 1-minute YouTube video.
