People can be frustrating.
As much as we love and appreciate them, it seems at times their primary objective is the disruption of our lives. Almost as if we can anticipate someone derailing us moments after we have established our groove.
As the disruptee, we rail against these individuals, but the truth is we are just as often the disruptor. For people are flawed and we are compelled to fix them. So we jump into their lives and create havoc regardless of invitation.
This is not a condition unique to our age but something that has plagued humanity since the begininning. Solomon tackles this topic using “lady wisdom” as his mouthpiece:
“So don’t waste your time on a scoffer;
all you’ll get for your pains is abuse.
But if you correct those who care about life,
that’s different—they’ll love you for it!”
Simply restated, if you want to be productive, provide correction and direction to those who desire it from you. A task that proves more difficult in application than explanation.
For we can readily identify the 'afflictions' others suffer from but have difficulty assessing our own. Regardless of how open we have become as a society, the ability to speak into someone's life is sacred and intimate. We must earn our platform in the lives of others if our corrections are to yield lasting results.
I encourage you to take a reset as both a disruptor and disruptee. Be discerning in who you provide advice to and when you provide it. Additionally, be guarded in who you allow to affect you and their timing. We can absolutely be a wonderful influence on each other but need to ensure we are doing so in love if it is to stick positively.