You know the situation. Your colleague at work or your neighbor or a member of your congregation says something rude to you. For a moment, you are stunned, taken aback – and unable to utter a retort. Later you rehash the comment because you failed to deliver the perfect comeback…the one that came to you on your ride home.
Turns out there is very good reason we are momentarily, cognitively affected when someone is rude to us. According to researchers, rude behavior reduces performance on routine tasks as well as on creative ones. It also decreases helpfulness.
Rudeness can inhibit the grace we share with one another. Rudeness can damage community. Jesus calls us to love one another (John 13:34). Maybe that means holding our own tongues when we are about to say something rude. Even a small rude comment can hurt someone. Let us remember that if we say something rude and the receiver has no comeback, it doesn’t mean there are no consequences.
This message is excerpted from “The toll of rudeness” by Elizabeth McBride from the June 30, 2016, blog of the Women of the ELCA. Today we commemorate Barnabas, Apostle.
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