Recalling Joseph of Genesis, and the fact he was wrought a great number of a cruel blow, but he suffered such indignities stoically, we are reminded of the winner's response to negative news.
Of course, there are three archetypal responses to bad news two are negative and damaging if they are not arrested, with only 1 a satisfactory response - the positive 1 - even out the grip of discomfort.
Let's cover these in reverse order - the negative ones initially.
1. Poor NEWS IS TAKEN AS A CRUSHING BLOW
Maybe we could possibly see this response as the submissive one.
We've all felt like reacting this way: the unexpected negative news offers us an unchallengeable body blow and we are reeling. The terms which have been dealt can not be handled correct now, if ever.
This is a sinkhole response with time factors do not get much better, they get worse. Such bad news has been the catalyst toward sending us into a self-absorbing bout of anxiety-riddled depression.
two. Poor NEWS GENERATES ANGER AND BLAME
If the above is observed as the submissive response, this one is the aggressive response - we should certainly know that only assertive responses are ultimately desirable.
However, to the reception of poor news comes instinctive anger. What was by no means expected has now come to pass, and the only way to respond right now is in a fit of rage, regardless of whether expressed or not, because from within there is unremitting panic. Fear swarms and the way we battle is to fight.
Like the above reaction, nonetheless, this too is a sinkhole response unless we get over our anger and travel on to the third response (below) the anger will see us bitter and in no way much better for the knowledge mainly because, fairly frankly, we can not bear the truth right now.
Only when we can bear the truth can we entertain the third choice of response.
Prior to going on to the third response, even so, it is imperative to note that initial reactions in the vein of the first and second responses are completely standard and forgivable but, we need to have to turn these responses over to the response beneath to win our day.
three. Negative NEWS INVITES THE QUESTION - "OKAY, WHAT NOW?"
This is the Joseph response.
No matter if he was cast into a pit, or rejected by his brothers, or convicted innocently and thrown into jail, or for any other reason, we suspect Joseph had essentially the very same response every single time: "Okay, (Lord) what now?"
This is the healthiest of the 3 responses since neither is the bad news ultimately a crushing blow nor something to derail life at the quest of blame. No, negative news is basically the revelation that there is a longer way than expected to the objective. This is no doubt disappointing, but the winner in such circumstances takes a circumstance like this, affording some despondency, and they react with eventual resilience. It proves inspiring.
In spite of what they may possibly feel they will act in faith and continue along the path that has been began, not giving up. Especially soon they locate the temptation to give up was the false veneer of hopelessness in plain view from any bad event. Only right after such an act of faith can this lie be observed for what it is.
The winner keeps going despite their disappointment.
It bears repeating: the winner keeps going in spite of their disappointment. They know with gritted teeth and a smile all the crushed expectations in the world mean little if they have the true grit to continue on. They keep their objective firmly in sight and they ultimately accomplish it, which makes life only far more satisfying.
© 2011 S. J. Wickham.
