Biblical Response

This biblical response has to do with Matthew 8:28-32, a passage where God meets two possessed men. Matthew tells about this encounter to inform us that God has powers over the spirit world (New International Version). This is what I learned to be the meaning of this passage from going to church. However, I can’t help thinking about my son reading this passage. When my son gets upset he is very hard to calm down initially. He seems engulfed with such emotions that he seems possessed by something. He doesn’t seem like my sweet boy during this time! After talking with him and helping him find a coping skill that works for him, he seems to be my sweet boy again. His coping skills are counting to 10, talking about his feelings and video games. I can equate him calming to a bad spirits leaving him. This paper is about my reflection on Matthew 8:28-32. I will critically reflect on this topic by answering the following questions: How does this make me feel? What is responsible for me feeling this way? How does my
perspective on this subject potentially influence those around me? What do I think I should do, based on my response to this reflection? First, I want to explore my feelings about this topic.
How does this topic make me feel?
This topic makes me feel sad and relieved. What makes me feel this way? I feel sad because I don’t like it when my son or anybody is so upset that they act out. My son acts out by withdrawing from us to be by himself. Other people might act out by getting mad at someone who cuts them off while driving. This is called, “road rage” and is responsible for people getting cussed at, honked at, shot at and/or ran off the road. Things they probably would not do if anger didn’t take a hold of them. God, I believe does have the ability to cast these bad feelings away and renew the soul. If we would just think of what Jesus would do in this situation and act upon it. Jesus calls us to, “love one another” (John 13:34). He does not call us to hate one another. We can take a deep breath and pray and let God help us to calm down. In doing so, the bad spirit or feeling will subside allowing us to influence
others.
How does my perspective on this subject potentially influence those around me? My perspective on this scripture has the ability to influence others by being an example. To prey when I get upset and give my problems to god. To have good coping skills to help me with the stressors of life. I can show my son love when he gets upset, by not yelling and scream at him. I speak kindly to him and remind him of the coping skills he was taught. People can learn that there are ways to act that do not require them to get mad at others and want to hurt them. We can influence other through our actions.
What do I think I should do, based on my response to this reflection? I should continue to follow God through knowing the bible and follow his example. We should love people and not want to hurt them even when we feel overwhelmed to do so. God can help us with our evil spirits through prayer.