TURNING POINT TUESDAY: ARE YOU A WALL BUILDER OR A WALL BREAKER?

At first thought you might say you are definitely a WALL BREAKER, based on your attempt to treat people the way you would like to be treated.  You might also say you are very nice and enjoy bringing people from all walks of life together to Promote Peace.  If this is you I say Congratulations, and keep up the Great Work!  However, to be a TRUE Wall Breaker there are more responsibilities at hand and I will attempt to address two of them: Actions and Words.

A Wall Breaker must strive for Consistency in their Behaviors (Character).  This means people are not being cordial with their co-workers on Monday, then walking by them without as much as a friendly Hello on Friday.  Or what about this one, avoiding gossip about your friend for a whole month, but the next month sharing a secret he/she shared with you in confidence.  I know this information will be hard for you to swallow, because I am Choking as I am writing it.  However, when we look at the world we live in it is TIME OUT for us sharing ideas and messages that make people feel good for a couple of seconds, but do not ultimately contribute to Joy For A Lifetime.  You might ask,  "How can a little gossip Build a Wall if it is not done maliciously?"  The reality is when you share information with someone you then Give Away Control as to Who, Why, and How they share the information.  For this reason, TRUST is put on the line because the person that confided in You, did NOT confide in the other listeners you shared the information with.  It is an emotional reaction to want to talk to others when we are upset verses going to the source.  We do this because we are seeking for someone to hear us out and understand our side of the story. However when we do not handle serious disagreements or situations in a Godly manner we might be well on our way to Building Walls.  You hopefully will make amends with the person you had a disagreement with, but ARE YOU going  to share that you make amends with everyone you told, and everyone they told? So now other people might treat the person you made amends with differently, because they are holding grudges in their heart based on your side of the story. Yes it is important that we have people in our life that we can share our heart with, but if you share in a way that tears another down you have to check your motives.  One way to avoid stabbing others in the back with your words is to take time to digest the situation and decide whether or not there is a need to share it with others.  If you sleep on it you might decide the disagreement or information is not as meaningful as it was yesterday.  Proverbs 21:23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from troubles.  *As a reminder when I write these blogs I am also writing to set myself free from anything in my life that is blocking my Dynamic Destiny!  Let's grow Together Friends.

Secondly, If you feel you are a WALL BREAKER please examine how often you AVOID situations as a way of keeping peace.  "If I do not say anything I am being partial to both parties that are in a disagreement."  My question for you is, "Do you have influence to bring the two parties together?"  Not saying anything can be at the root of  Building Walls.  

Okay it is story time.  There once lived a man named Mr. Wall.  Everyone respected him because of his Godly Character and accomplishments in his personal and professional life.  Mr. Wall started several nonprofit organizations in his community for disadvantaged children and adults.  All in all, the city council members and the citizens felt their city was a better place because of Mr. Wall's community service and commitment to equality.  One day Mr. Wall attended a "Community Budget" meeting in an effort to understand the current financial health of the city.  During the meeting two of his close colleagues engaged in a conversation about budget reallocation that led to a meeting brawl.  Law enforcement had to intervene, due to the citizens and community leaders going from verbal blows to physical blows.  A civil moment finally arose for any participant to share his/her thoughts about the budget. Mr. Wall lowered his head and chose to stay seated.  Mr. Wall had been working on a budget plan that could benefit both parties, but he chose to remain neutral.  He knew in his heart because of the respect he had developed from community leaders and citizens they might be willing to compromise, but instead he did NOTHING.  The next day Mr. Wall was sickened by the morning headlines.  "Disagreement about the City Budget led to the Death of a City Council Member." Mr. Wall could not believe his eyes.  Not only did Mr. Wall loose a friend, but the city was still divided on this issue.  Mr. Wall will have to live with the question, " What if I had just said this______?"  Sometimes it is not What you are doing that is building walls, it is What you are NOT Doing. We can't assume the situation would have been different if Mr. Wall would have voiced his budget plan to bring the two groups together.  However, one's Actions to Promote Peace in a situation demonstrates your willingness to BREAK DOWN WALLS!

I could go on and on about this topic, but I can't.  Call to Action: Take a Stand to become a Wall Breaker!  You might have to start with yourself.  If you have built a wall that you are afraid for anyone to enter, then it is going to be difficult for you to Break Walls in your family and community.  I know it is difficult, because for years I formed a wall around me that was so thick no one even knew who was behind it.  Due to unresolved hurts, pains, and disappointments I built a Coping Wall to keep the world out.  God does not approve of this type of behavior, because as humans he has created us to be in fellowship and right relationship with our brothers and sisters.  So break down your individual wall First!  After that look for ways in everyday life to promote peace and bring people together.  It could be as simple as asking coworkers who do not usually go out to lunch together to meet for lunch (icebreaker).  What about that person who never looks up at work?  Have you ever tried to engage him/her in conversation?  We never know what someone is going through, but I believe with all my heart if you really care about people it will show through your Actions and Words.  Breaking Walls Will Contribute to your DYNAMIC DESTINY! Let's go Break Some Walls this Week for the Glory of God!  Hebrews 11:30 Because of faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encompassed for seven days.
                            
Determined Events Sent To Ignite a New You!