Daily Devotionals

Respond Well!

Posted in Courage/Perseverance

Scripture: “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.” – 1 Corinthians 16:13

 

How we respond is within our control, right? My three kids hear me say the words, “Respond well,” more often than they would like. 

 

I first heard the following during an interview with Cori Close, women’s basketball coach at UCLA. She said that E + R = O. The “E” is for Event, “R” is for Response, and the “O” is for Outcome. The outcome is uncontrollable and not where our focus should be. Cori teaches her players to strengthen their “R” so it’s stronger than any “E” that can take place.  If they do that consistently, the outcome will be favorable. 

 

1 Corinthians 16:13 calls me as a husband, father, and friend to “respond well.” Specifically, I am called to respond in strength and courage in my duties and responsibilities, while being sensitive and compassionate in relationships. Being the spiritual leader of our home is a responsibility for which I’m grateful. It’s also a responsibility that weighs heavily. I question myself often if I’m doing enough. Responding with sensitivity and compassion to my children looks different for my 11-year-old son than it does for my six-year-old twin girls, but ultimately, I want to respond to them in love by listening to them and being available.

 

The words “courage” and “love” have surfaced a lot for me in the past six months. Perhaps that’s why I’m drawn to 1 Corinthians 16:13. To have a heart posture of love and courage in every “Event” is where I believe a lot of us want to be. God wants that for us too.

 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you love us perfectly. You are perfectly powerful and perfectly present. Thank you. Help us to “respond well” to each and every event by relying on and trusting in you. You, Lord God, will fill us with the strength, courage, compassion, and love that this world needs. Amen.

 

Submitted by Darren Knight