Jonathots Daily Blog
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It seems to me that you only win in life if you’re aggressive. For instance, Donald Trump, who is extremely defensive and cutting, leads in the Republican polls. I’m not asking you to talk about politics, just answer this question: how can Jesus suggest that we get anywhere by “turning the other cheek?” Or is he just talking about the afterlife?
I think the problem in most people’s thinking is that they like to characterize certain words as positive or negative. Putting it in simpler terms, most folks would consider passive to be the opposite of aggressive.
But the issue is not whether we should be aggressive. The issue is, to whom?
You are absolutely correct–aggression expressed to others as a means of domination or for generating payback is not only non-spiritual, but also generally considered, in the long run, to be a lame choice.
Yet we are certainly supposed to be aggressive to ourselves. Intertwined in the teachings of Jesus is a strong motivational message to go the second mile, be perfect even as the Father in Heaven is perfect, and take care of the beam in your own eye instead of worrying about the mote in your brother’s eye.
The foible in humans is that we would much rather be aggressive toward other people’s weaknesses than our own.
Donald Trump is characterized as aggressive, but he isn’t alone. There is a general consensus in our society that we can achieve success by–pardon the expression–“trumping” others. Nothing could be further from the truth.
After all, insult may be the only word that never requires a period. As long as an insult is hanging in the air, it’s just awaiting the arrival of the next insult.
So what does it mean–to be aggressive to yourself?
1. Take an inventory.
Consider what you actually can do instead of what you want to do, and then work on those talents.
2. Practice what you want to achieve until you reach the point that you don’t have to make excuses for your shortcomings.
There will still be failures but you want to make sure they are not caused by your lack of perseverance.
3. Don’t compare your work to the work of others.
Compare it to your own vision and what you desire to achieve.
The Jesonian life–a life following Jesus–is an aggressive one–but not in relationship to our judgment and critique of others.
Rather, in our own passion to perfect our ways … and learn how to go the second mile.
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