The Danger of an Automatic Response

Adam Sandler’s portrayal of workaholic, Michael Newman, in the 2006 movie Click was funny until the real message clicked in (pardon the pun). After receiving the gift of a special remote control that allowed him to fast forward and rewind through different parts of his life, Sandler’s character did what a lot of us do without a remote. He developed a series of automatic responses. It seemed like a no brainer. When you don’t want to deal with something or someone just - click!

In a recent discussion, I expressed my concern over the tendency many have of responding to unwanted, uncomfortable, or painful experiences with knee jerk reactions that reject any possibility that good may be contained within it. As Christians who are being “conformed into the image of God’s Son” we are to be led by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14). However, if we find ourselves reacting to the unpleasant aspects of our life with automatic responses, then there is a chance that we may be automatically rejecting the leading of the Holy Spirit without recognizing it.

Let me be clear. Not all automatic responses are to be avoided. In fact, we can develop some habitual reactions that are beneficial. For example, when we feel anxious we can choose to bring our concerns immediately to God in prayer with a thankful heart. The result of this swift reaction to anxiety, God’s Word promises, will yield incomprehensible peace standing guard like a garrison over our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:6-7). In turn, this peace increases the likelihood that we will hear the Spirit’s leading through times of distress. On the other hand, if we tend to react to life’s discomforts with worry and fretful imaginings, the result then is quite another story.

If we’re honest, we have to admit that when we only engage in things that we are comfortable with, not only are we resisting God’s desire to conform us into His Son’s image, but we also have no need for the Spirit’s direction and empowerment. As I consider my own automatic responses I whisper a prayer that all of God’s children will reflect upon areas in our lives where we fail to open our hearts to the Holy Spirit’s direction. There is no question that the last thing I want to do is click through life following my own way only to discover that I missed real life with God altogether.