Me? A Solution or Part of the Problem

Have you ever innocently walked into a situation thick with tension? Maybe there's a rough group coming your way. It doesn't take long for the anxiety to jump onto you as well. Now, consider that same situation and a police officer shows up. A sigh of relief is exhaled and the fear is replaced with a feeling of safety. Police are trained to be a non-anxious presence in every environment. Wouldn't it be great if we had that calming effect on others?

Maybe you aren't walking in a rough part of town, but into a meeting where emotions are charged. I've walked into just such meetings. A few years ago I was invited to a meeting of a few women and one of our pastors. As the women's director I often was included on meetings and thought nothing of it except to be a part of whatever solution was required. However, when I walked into this room I sensed this was not one where I was to help with a solution, but that I was the problem. Pressure had built in these women to a point where anxiety pressed in all around me. Accusations were presented as I sat blindsided. Attempting to resolve the situation, the pastor asked questions which exposed their concerns were assumptions magnified by months of these women grumbling without coming to me directly.

God worked in my shocked state to keep my mouth closed, but boy did I want to lash out. My flesh was angry! I was so consumed by the anxiety, I couldn't breath. Interestingly, the word anxiety comes from the Latin meaning, to suffocate. That certainly was my feeling. But the calming presence of our pastor allowed air to breathe into the room as if the tension had been pricked by a pin. The accusers words rang in their own ears as one by one realized all this anxiety was based on a misunderstanding. I had been the problem for these women, but by all of us submitting to the calming presence of the pastor the problem was resolved. Jesus had been in that room moving in each of us. He was the solution and the calming force.

What if I had I had fought declaring my innocence? What if I had accused these women as busybodies or gossips? Even though the hurt was great, it was a misunderstanding. Yes, they handled it poorly, but don't I over react at times? Don't I talk to girlfriends inappropriately at times? My innocence would never have been seen had I responded as my flesh desired.

Next time you have a contentious meeting, ask Jesus to be the calming presence in the room. Ask Him to silence you when needed and to allow truth to be revealed. You may have started as the problem, but waiting and listening just might make you a part of the solution.