I was waiting in line to see the movie “Narnia” this weekend. A woman in front of us just went “nuclear” on her husband. She misunderstood the ticket salesman and thought her husband had agreed to sit in different sections because the theatre was full. It was a real blast off let me just say that. Her husband sheepishly turned and said, “He wanted to let us know this particular theatre was having spots on some of the scenes and they wanted everyone to know.” It made me think of my own reactions. Negative reactions are usually the fruit of jumping to conclusions. And I have had seasons of pointless negative reactions like most people. Reactions have a way of becoming habitual and leading you off track.

A bible teacher I used to listen to in the seventies said, “You never know what’s in the cup until you have bumped it.” Meaning it is our immediate, subconsciously controlled reactions to life that reveal our true selves. Fear spills out when we get hit just right by life. It is for certain our reactions that broadcast our heart. We all have “spill over lives” waiting to surprise us.

There comes a time when you have to reboot and get control of your reactions and make your conscious life rule. Lining up our reactions is a process we call maturing. Only the immature make a home for unchecked reactions to life. I worked with a leader in starting a new ministry once who didn’t burst forth when he spilled over. He would hide and not return calls or emails. It was his passive aggressive way of dealing with the big bumps life doles out. Not everyone blows up when his or her “spill over” takes control. A quiet life of bitterness is just as terminal as lashing out in anger.

1Peter holds the warning and encouragement from Peter to stay in charge and to stay on strict guard. He calls us to reboot our reactions and make them deliberate and strong.

Let’s look at his words: (Message)

Vs. 13 to 16 - “So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the fight that’s coming when Jesus arrives. Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better then, you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness God said, “I am holy; you be holy.”

The way to control is through servanthood. Spill over happens when we think the world exists for us. If your life is built around how things can be easier for you, everyone else becomes an interruption. Or, every event has the forever potential of forming unacceptable patterns in our life.