What Would Jesus Do?

By Celeste Strinka

Making Mistakes

As humans, it is typical and very normal for us to make mistakes. You may have asked, “Why did that happen? What did I do to deserve that?” Well most times, if not all the time, it’s because of the way you reacted. The way that we react to everything and anything that gets thrown our way is what leads to your outcome or consequence.

Action, Reaction, Outcome

It’s very easy to be caught up in the moment and say things you may regret saying later on after you get an outcome you didn’t expect. Events and conflicts always happen in this order (and you may have heard of this before): Action, Reaction, Outcome. The most important part that you should focus on is your reaction. This is because when things happen to you the only thing you can control is your reaction and you can manipulate what happens as a result of your reaction to put the ball in your court.

What would Jesus do?

Let’s look at this through the Christian worldview. Having Jesus as our role model, you can look up to him for advice in your situations because He had to go through something similar at some point in His lifetime here on Earth. Let’s say you have experienced betrayal. Maybe your friend turns their back to you because they don’t agree with some of your opinions. Jesus has gone through something similar when one of his closest allies, Peter, sold Him out for 30 pieces of silver…”Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.” (Matthew 26:14-16)

But how did Jesus react to this? He ate dinner with Peter and treated him with love and care just as He always had. You know why? Because it was as soon as Peter sat next to Him for dinner that Peter knew he had made a mistake. Peter was destroyed with guilt, and Jesus didn’t have to do anything but act normal for Peter to feel that way because it was only Peter’s actions that were wrong. Jesus’ reaction was beneficial and productive instead of creating conflict that would prolong fights.

In Conclusion

Don’t get in the habit of reacting in impulse. Think about the things you are about to say and the way you are going to act. When you do that, you will get a better outcome and you will have a good idea about what will happen and what to do next. React with intentions of setting things right, don’t react with the intention of creating unnecessary conflict.