Have you ever had someone do or say something that caused a spontaneous reaction from you because it startled or irritated you? And then have them say to you:
“Don’t get mad at me!”
Doesn’t that just add fuel to the flame?
This happens because the person who says this to you is expressing a feeling while at the same time denying you the right to have a feeling.
Hypocrisy at it’s finest, right?
It is never a good idea to do or say something and deny others the right to do the same. It is particularly a bad idea to vent your feelings on someone while not letting them have their own feelings.
If you find yourself in a situation where this statement has been uttered, if you are the one who said it, apologize immediately. If you are the person to whom it was said and you receive no apology, say nothing. Walk away and work out your frustration elsewhere. There is no point in making a bad situation worse.
If you are in the habit of using this statement, you will find that your relationships will improve if you stop. And never, ever again say it to anyone.
“And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”(Luke 6:31, ESV)
Leave a Reply