Perception is rarely reality. Seldom is a circumstance as bad as it seems in the midst of the moment. I have often found in my daily life that...and here I risk sounding like one of those self-help gurus...my outlook is determined by my input.
What I mean is that maybe there is a voice that understands human tendencies all too well, and is suggesting all sorts of things to us. If we'll put our needs before others... because it's hard to listen to this voice from a position of humility...we can hear a lot of frivolous foolishness. For example, when the garage door is left open, it's probably because no one else in the family cares about the high energy costs "I alone must bear"...what a high-maintenance martyr! To make matters worse, curt comments about "cooling/heating the world" can set the tone for the way-too-short evening family time.
How about when someone doesn't return a voice mail? It must be because you just don't matter enough for them to extend a little common courtesy...be chilly when they do finally call...or better yet screen their call...give 'em a taste of their own medicine. Friendships have waxed cold for less.
We can always listen to the voice, but before we do, what if we ask ourselves one simple question? "Is this Jesus whispering this to me?" Follow-up questions: "If it's not HIm, then who is it and should I be listening to them?" Oh, how many times could we avoid tense moments or missed quality time or even lost relationship by simply putting our brains in gear and filtering the foolishness ...calling out the culprit ...exposing the enemy. I'm not on speaking terms with the devil...don't care for his advice...so why in the world would I ever listen to him? Whoa...There's another good question.