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PROGRAM D-7914
Proverbs tells us that “Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult” (Proverbs 12:16). Learning not to overreact is a challenge for many of us. It certainly is for me. Fran’s had some difficulty with her tendency to overreact, too, and it has caused her to get angry at her client and, even for a moment, at her Uncle George.
Having recognized the error of her way, she has apologized to her aunt and uncle for—what else—overreacting. She has come to understand that the comment which upset her so much was not as rude and unprofessional as she had made it out to be.
As she talks with her aunt and uncle about it this evening, she says, “I think some of it is just the difference between men and women, don’t you?”
“What do you mean?” her aunt doesn’t quite get it.
“Well,” Fran answers, “we women tend to be more subtle and careful about the words we choose because we know how easily our feelings can be hurt. I think men tend to simply state facts and let the chips fall where they may, so to speak. Therefore, what Mr. LeFevre said about me not doing a complete job really hurt my feelings, but you saw it as a simple directive, Uncle George—something to be expected. Tell the truth, would it have affected you the way it affected me?”
He thinks about it a minute. “Well, it sure makes us men sound terribly insensitive, but I have to admit, I couldn’t see why you were that upset over it. I mean, it’s just a business decision; it goes with the territory.”
Fran starts to laugh. “Isn’t it crazy how differently we see things?” she replies. “His comment hurt my feelings so badly; I took it very personally. But you heard it as just a simple business decision. God made us quite different, didn’t he?”
“Vive la difference!” her uncle says with a twinkle in his eyes.
Fran laughs. “Don’t you think it would have been easier if he’d made us both think the same way?”
“Are you criticizing God’s design?” her aunt asks. “I’m glad George is different from me. It keeps us from being bored! Besides, we need each other.”
“Yeah?” Fran asks, smiling at her aunt and uncle.
“Yeah; your uncle needs my perspective on things and I need his. That way we have the best of both worlds,” her aunt philosophizes.
“I agree with that,” Fran says. “It’s sure worked well for you two. How many years now have you been married?”
“Fifty-two—but who’s counting,” George laughs.
Some good lessons have been learned.