How I Learned to Deal with Judgmental People
I stood speechless. Nothing in my 19 years of existence in a fundamental Christian culture had prepared me for a moment like the one at hand.
John Eli is a transformational life coach who has spent over 15 years mentoring individuals in life skills, career transitions, and through organizational change. His resume includes pastoral care, behavioral health, and higher-education. From an early age, John recognized that God created him to bring hope, healing and encouragement to others. He currently walks out his life’s purpose by helping others find the clarity, motivation, and steps needed to obtain healing, wholeness, personal growth, and self-acceptance. Aside from coaching, his ministry includes blogging, group facilitation, speaking, and prayer. He currently lives in Chandler, Arizona with his wife, two dogs, and an antique piano whom he calls, “Betty.”
I stood speechless. Nothing in my 19 years of existence in a fundamental Christian culture had prepared me for a moment like the one at hand.
I was determined, and slowly but surely I began to gain strength. Along with strength came muscle. The muscle brought confidence.
But when all is said and done, my prayers are said to communicate with God and not with man. In the end, I know He is pleased and that’s OK with me.
I’m not proud of my tendency to create tragic interpretations over events. Nevertheless, I’d be a fool not to admit it.
Most people start to form an opinion about you before you even say a word. I have the privilege of teaching others that not all stereotypes are true.
In fact, grace causes me to recognize that there are many things that I can learn from those who hold different beliefs from me.
I wish that I could tell you that this self-induced scenario was the peak of my embarrassing moments…truth be told, my life has been a series of embarrassing moments.
Prior to attending public school, I had not been exposed to racially charged slurs and/or remarks. Stepping onto the schoolyard, I was in for a surprise of my life…
Thinking about these stories places a lump in the back of my throat. You see, I know what it is like to walk in my friend’s shoes. I know what it’s like to wake up without the person that you love most by your side.
In that moment, I wanted to disappear. I wanted to take back what I said, but for some reason, I couldn’t bring myself to. On the way back home, the only consolation that I could think of is that I’d probably never see the medical assistant ever again.