We are all prone to look at the cup half empty. Within the church and church ministry, people will be doing the right thing in the wrong way. Are you thankful for the efforts of other people despite their shortcomings in their service and sanctification? It takes a special person to be able to look at the bright side. When someone is doing the right thing in the wrong way, in needs to be encouraged. Our attitude says a lot about where our heart is it. Are you a leader in the church? Leaders have the responsibility to recognize young men and women that are making an effort so that the next generation will be brought up to lead the church. What would you do in these specific situations?

1. Someone has offered to serve you by making the table and spilled coffee all over you. How will you react?
2. Someone went out of their way to buy tickets for you and your friends – 5 in total. But accidently only bought 4. One of you isn’t going to get a ticket.
3. A young man is pursuing women in the church and is making them uncomfortable.

In each of these situations, we are prone to look at the worst in people and automatically get frustrated, angry, and mad. The situation becomes about us and how these behaviors affect our desires and our comfort. We become thankless individuals just like Satan who Ultimately rebelled. He was thankless for God and took 1/3 of the Angels with him. Remember, part of our goal as Christians is to help others pursue the good, look for the best in others, help others conform to Christ, and pursue unity in light of the Gospel message. Here are some reactions that convey a sense of Humility and encouragement-

1. Thank them and ask how you can help clean it up. Encourage them in their service.
2. Thank them and offer to give up your ticket for other’s benefit so they can go.
3. Tell Him he’s doing the right thing. Marriage is the grace of life. But I’d love to help you do this in the right way. What do you think about meeting for coffee sometime?

What is the pattern established in each of these situations? There is a sacrificial love that has the person’s best interest at stake. We respond by encouraging others in their service despite their shortcomings. We aren’t easily offended and try to help others do the right thing in light of their identity. In light of Psalm:23, we know that our Chief Sheperd is Christ. True Leaders respond humbly, encourage people to pursue the right path, but also rebuke gently so that they can do things in the right way. The overall attitude is one that is trying to help in someone’s sanctification. It’s not one that is coming from a place of anger or discouragement. Within the church, we will encounter many types of situations. Generally speaking, we can categorize them into people doing the right thing and sin. But for this post, I’m not talking about sin. I’m talking about people that are trying to do the right thing in the wrong way. Lets be like Christ, our Chief Shepherd, and emulate Him. True leaders can recognize situations and encourage others, helping them to become more like Christ every day. Be patient, realize people learn through failure, and encourage the direction that they are going. Selfishness becomes angry in light of people’s shortcomings. Humility encourages and redirects people on the right path who may not be doing things the right way all the time.