Monday 21^st July, 2025

Bible Reading:  Proverbs 25:28 

Memory Verse:  A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls. Proverbs 25:28 (NLT)

At a restaurant, a cockroach suddenly flew from and sat on a lady. She started screaming out of fear. With a panic-stricken face and trembling voice, she started jumping, her both hands desperately trying to get rid of the cockroach. Her reaction was contagious, as everyone in her group also got panicky. The lady finally managed to push the cockroach away until it landed on another lady in the group. Now, it was the turn of the other lady in the group to continue the drama.

The waiter rushed forward to their rescue. In the relay of throwing, the cockroach then fell upon the waiter. The waiter stood firm, composed himself and observed the behaviour of the cockroach on his shirt. When he was confident enough, he grabbed it with his fingers and threw it out of the restaurant.

Sipping my coffee and watching the amusement, the antenna of my mind picked up a few thoughts and started wondering. Was the cockroach responsible for their irrational behaviour? If so, then why was the waiter not disturbed? He handled it near to perfection, without any chaos. It was not the cockroach, but the inability of those people to handle the disturbance caused by the cockroach.

I realised that it is not the shouting of my father or my boss or my wife that disturbs me, but it’s my inability to handle the disturbances caused by their shouting that disturbs me.

It’s not the traffic jams on the road that disturbs me, but my inability to handle the disturbance caused by the traffic jam that disturbs me.

More than the problem, it’s my reaction to the problem that creates chaos in my life.

Lessons learnt from the story: I understand that in life, every situation needs a response and not a reaction. The women reacted, whereas the waiter responded. Reactions are always instinctive, whereas responses are always well thought out. A beautiful way to understand life! A person is happy not because everything is right in his life. He is happy because his attitude towards everything in his life is right!

Quote:  It is more blessed to respond than to react to life situation.

Prophetic Decree:  Situations shall no longer rule over you, in Jesus name. 

Prayer Focus 

1. I take back my dominion to reign in life, in Jesus name. 

2. Holy Spirit, baptise me with the mindset to take responsibility at all times and in all places, in Jesus name. 

3. I choose to respond rather than react that I may learn from challenges, build resilience, and grow personally. 

4. Instead of getting angry or frustrated, I choose by the enablement of God’s Spirit to respond by analysing situation, brainstorming solutions, and taking proactive steps. 

5. I receive grace to acknowledge the Holy Spirit in me, and yield to His promptings, in Jesus name. 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  Hosea 8-14