People in authority roles can have it rough.
This is a big reason why it is important to help people understand how to think objectively about whether they really are at fault for doing something they are approached by an authority figure for so that they don’t cause trouble for someone who is only trying to help.
Christians, it is important to help people understand the type of thinking that causes people to have problems with authority figures who are only trying to help people. Authority figures can often have a hard job, facing backlash for trying to intervene in situations where people are not being treated fairly or are being hurt. This is a big reason why it is important to help people understand how to think objectively about whether they really are at fault for doing something they are approached by an authority figure for so that they don’t cause trouble for someone who is only trying to help.
Especially when someone is younger, people can ignore the problems associated with what they want to do and then become angry with anyone who tries to keep them from doing it, even if the person in the authority role is only trying to make sure people are safe or being treated fairly. However, adults can act this way as well. Even as adults, people can become combative with authority figures who try to keep them from doing something they want to do without trying to reflect more objectively on whether or not they should be doing it.
A key is to help people think beyond their want and the anger they may feel at not being able to do what they want. They want to be honest with themselves about why what they want to do may be hurting someone or could hurt someone or think likewise about why their behavior is or could cause a problem in some other way. They also want to remember that a person in an authority role who is trying to help people is not someone to become angry with--even though it can make someone angry to be stopped from doing something they want to do.
Comments