Encouragement

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The Positive Affect
© 2011

by

Stephen A. Peterson


Sergeant (E-5) Jeri Jorski rose from her sleep at 0400 hours as did the other members of her Company in preparation for another day in the Army. Feeling very good in spite of her early rise, Sergeant Jorski began saying cheerful, positive words to her First Sergeant who arrived on the Physical Training field a few minutes after she did.

“Great day, eh, First Sergeant!”

“It sucks! Too darn cold! Should have brought my PT outer wear!” grunted the First Sergeant.

Undaunted, Sergeant Jorski continued, “The Company did pretty good following the Battalion Sergeant Major’s inspection.”

“Eh, there were way too many dings as far as I’m concerned. We should have done much better,” argued the First Sergeant.

Determined, Sergeant Jorski went on. “All of the Company’s protective masks have new filters and are ready to go, First Sergeant.”

“Yeh, right!”

Sergeant Jorski, after trying to cheer up the First Sergeant, came to the conclusion that getting up on the wrong side of the bed was a true statement. She, however, did not feel put down nor did she believe the First Sergeant was a mean person. She knew the First Sergeant was under a great deal of pressure from the Battalion Sergeant Major to change the poor ratings and inspections her Company received in the recent past. In less than a year, Company E had three different First Sergeants and a Company Commander.

Later that afternoon after his visit with the Battalion Commander and Sergeant Major, the First Sergeant walked through the Company office with a smile. “We got the best Company in the Brigade for this quarter. Dang!” he said excitedly.

Afterward, he shook her hand for a job “well done” for Sergeant Jorski’s supply room. “And Sergeant Jorski, I’m sorry for being so mean to you this morning on the PT field…” Sergeant Jorski sighed with relief and was reminded that being positive never really hurts. That being positive in the face of conflict or situations when people are angry or upset is actually a demonstration of love and concern for the well-being of others. This is also a demonstration of God’s love for us even when we disown or become angry with God. Sergeant Jorski learned this day that God is great enough deal with human anger.

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