Sense of Entitlement

So, I have gone through every emotion you can think of, with this dreadful lockdown. When you feel like things are taking a turn for the better, you get a rude shock!

Even as I acknowledge these terrible times we are in, the fear and uncertainty that creeps in at times, like Joshua and Caleb, I continuously choose to see the other side of this where God’s mercy has prevailed over us all. (Bible Reference: Numbers 13)

Ok, as much as I would hate to admit it, I have been feeling entitled of late. I am usually the one to reach out to others to check on them and make sure they are doing ok but recently, I find myself hesitating to do so, telling myself that they should be the ones reaching out to me and counting how long it’s been since this or that person checked on me and that I just couldn’t be bothered.

I have since overcome that negative feeling, but it made me realize how easy one could find themselves on this slippery path of having this ‘entitlement mentality’ which could also lead into other unpleasant behaviours. I believe we are all different, we look different, we think different, we talk different and we do things differently. One person will find it easy and to call others and another would not even think much of it.

The truth is: silence bothers me, I worry if I don't hear from people and I have come to understand myself and I know that I am happy to always reach out to people especially when it is the nudge of the Holy Spirit telling me I need to. There are times we may find it wise to hold back especially in much more difficult situations (a falling out) so as not to aggravate it further or be seen as a pest or being pretentious, but we should  keep praying until we are prompted to make that move.

More often than not, we find that we reach out to people especially at a time when they need it most, it might be they just need someone to gist with, pray with, cry with , laugh with. I have reached out to people countless times and it ended up being a conversation they needed at that moment, probably I needed it too. What if I had refused to call them when I felt the nudge, thinking they were the ones supposed to reach out?

I pray always that God makes me the answer to someone’s prayer because if He is going to use me to bless them, then I'd have to be loaded with blessings first! I can’t fill someone else’s cup from an empty one! Take the Mike Bamiloye family for example, blessed to bless others!

A sister of mine would tell me not to assume the state of affairs of people I cannot see, she would remind me I don’t know the situation they are in, probably they are not even in a position to reach out to others and they themselves are praying for you to reach out to them, possibly to render help.

Don’t hesitate when you think of reaching out to someone, they might need you at that time.

I do understand that this might not be applicable to every situation but I will encourage you to follow your heart in reaching out to people you haven’t heard from, especially during this time when our collective mental health is being tested by this pandemic.

Do what you feel is right and let God finish up the rest.

This link was recently shared with me: kindnessbypost

It is a brilliant way of engaging with people here in the UK by exchanging letters or cards with a message of goodwill. If you are in a different country and unable to partake in something like this, tap into your hidden artistic reservoir and design a card for a family member, friend, neighbour, colleague and safely drop it off for them, it could even be a digital card that you can send to them electronically or pen a heart-warming, encouraging letter to someone you know needs it.

Pray and follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that your reaching out can be timely and purposeful.

Love always.