We all have our own way of doing things. When that way comes into conflict with someone else’s, it can lead to tension. Sometimes, the other way is actually more efficient than our way and it leads to good changes in our own processes. Other times, a different way just doesn’t work for us. That’s okay. We can respectfully move on with our lives, being grateful for the exposure to a different method, but leaving it for the other person to take advantage of.
The problem is, that is not what we as humans are inclined
to do. We may want to rebel. We may want to change everyone else, to bring
them around to our way of doing things because our way is obviously better (in
our minds, at least).
This can lead to difficulties when we come up against a
process that doesn’t work for us, but is the required way of completing a
task. When this happens, it helps to
stop and try to understand why this way doesn’t work for us. What can we learn about the way it must be done
that might make it easier for us? What
might we need to change about ourselves in order to make it easier?
Rigidity can turn into a very bad thing if it is not
maintained for good reason.
Often, you might hear the phrase “Trust the process” in
regard to behavioral changes that are meant to better ourselves. The same can be said for much more mundane
processes, such as planning for an event and facing hurdles along the way. What are we meant to learn from this
struggle? Is it something about
ourselves? Is it something about the
process itself? Is it meant to be a
larger life lesson for us?
If you find yourself struggling to adapt as we enter the
beginnings of our “new normal,” think about these things. Take your struggles and feelings of
uncertainty to God. He is always present
in our church buildings in the Eucharist, and He is always with us, even when
it might feel as if He has abandoned us.
Never lose hope and faith in Him.
