Are You, Or Do You Know, an ODD Person?

Well, not an odd person by the normal definition. Brian Watman, in an article titled, "'Have a Nice Day,' the Conversational Irritant", posted in The Boston Globe wrote… “A psychological counselor reported an “ODD” experience with a client. The therapist had tentatively diagnosed the patient with ODD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder. You probably don’t have a psych dictionary on your apps, so here’s the Google definition of O.D.D., “A behavioral condition characterized by a persistent pattern of angry, irritable mood, argumentative and defiant behavior, or vindictiveness.”

At the end of the counseling session, the therapist had said innocently, “Have a good day.” The client responded angrily, “Don’t tell me what to do!!” That was the moment the therapist nailed the diagnosis!”

You may not have experienced an “O.D.D.” person, but we all may deal with a difficult or draining person from time to time, and of course, we’ve never been difficult or draining, right?

Paul writes to the Colossians reminding them that there was a time in their lives before they knew Christ when they walked in the ways of the world which are at odds with the ways of God. He reminded them and us that even in Christ we can drift back into the odd ways of our old life.

There is a lot of stress out there! And apart from the Lordship of Christ, it can squeeze us and capture our hearts and minds and cause to revert to the odd ways of the old life. It can make us defiant, angry, and irritable, among other things. I wonder, have you allowed the rebellion, defiance, and nature of the world to capture your heart and mind?

If so, take the counsel of the apostle Paul to the Colossians… “But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” (Colossians 3:8–10) This is more than a suggestion; it’s a command to counter the ever-present war with our old nature.

Notice Paul says to “put” old things off, and “put” new things on. It is the idea of changing your wardrobe. And implied is the fact that you can do it, and you must do it as a follower of Christ. But he doesn’t stop there, he goes on to tell us what to put on in verses 12-17… “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

So, if you’ve been feeling a little ODD lately, counter it by renewing your spiritual wardrobe and allow Jesus to be Lord of your life. And remember God is always trying to take you someplace new. I love being your Pastor!

For God’s Glory Alone,
Pastor Ray

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