#720 Some Keys to Dealing Faithfully with Criticism and Conflict Part 2
Had an experience recently in which the words spoken to me by my husband hurt me deeply.
Even though I knew it was not intentional I reacted inside and then outside.
I prayed for the Lord’s strength and perspective. And He brought Proverbs 27:17 to my attention: “Iron sharpeneth iron; So one man sharpens another.”
When iron is rubbed against iron, the figurative experience is not comfortable.
If a knife is rubbed against iron, for example, some of the iron in the knife is actually rubbed off to produce greater sharpness. So with our spiritual experience: abrasive comments can lead to letting go of erroneous or exaggerated thinking.
The Lord may be using the ‘sharpness’ we experience as a way to get our attention.
Anytime we feel hurt or wounded by someone else’s words, anytime someone ‘rubs us the wrong way’ there is always an opportunity!
The Lord led me to see that the sharpness of a comment, whether it is abrasive in the way it is spoken, or abrasive in how we experience what is spoken to us, is an opportunity. Being hurt by a comment or even being hurt by an experience can be a reminder to seek the spiritual opportunity:
Lord, how can these comments or this experience sharpen me for Your use? Is there something I need to let go of? How can these comments or this experience ‘sharpen’ me for Your use?
The Lord answered my prayer for balanced thinking and I realized that the comments that ‘rubbed me the wrong way’ held an important kernel of truth about some specific thoughts that I needed to focus on! And I shared that with my husband along with an apology.
Whether the abrasiveness of a comment is from one of our Brethren, from a friend, or from a co-worker or acquaintance, the ultimate Overruler of the experience is Our Heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus. We know that any wound they permit is permitted in faithfulness and out of depths of Wisdom and Love for our highest spiritual good.
“Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.” Proverbs 27:6
“He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
He who neglects discipline despises himself,
But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding.
The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom, and before honor comes humility.” Proverbs 15:31-33
Had an experience recently in which the words spoken to me by my husband hurt me deeply.
Even though I knew it was not intentional I reacted inside and then outside.
I prayed for the Lord’s strength and perspective. And He brought Proverbs 27:17 to my attention: “Iron sharpeneth iron; So one man sharpens another.”
When iron is rubbed against iron, the figurative experience is not comfortable.
If a knife is rubbed against iron, for example, some of the iron in the knife is actually rubbed off to produce greater sharpness. So with our spiritual experience: abrasive comments can lead to letting go of erroneous or exaggerated thinking.
The Lord may be using the ‘sharpness’ we experience as a way to get our attention.
Anytime we feel hurt or wounded by someone else’s words, anytime someone ‘rubs us the wrong way’ there is always an opportunity!
The Lord led me to see that the sharpness of a comment, whether it is abrasive in the way it is spoken, or abrasive in how we experience what is spoken to us, is an opportunity. Being hurt by a comment or even being hurt by an experience can be a reminder to seek the spiritual opportunity:
Lord, how can these comments or this experience sharpen me for Your use? Is there something I need to let go of? How can these comments or this experience ‘sharpen’ me for Your use?
The Lord answered my prayer for balanced thinking and I realized that the comments that ‘rubbed me the wrong way’ held an important kernel of truth about some specific thoughts that I needed to focus on! And I shared that with my husband along with an apology.
Whether the abrasiveness of a comment is from one of our Brethren, from a friend, or from a co-worker or acquaintance, the ultimate Overruler of the experience is Our Heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus. We know that any wound they permit is permitted in faithfulness and out of depths of Wisdom and Love for our highest spiritual good.
“Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.” Proverbs 27:6
“He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
He who neglects discipline despises himself,
But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding.
The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom, and before honor comes humility.” Proverbs 15:31-33
RSS Feed
