"Alex I will take criticism for $400 please?"
We've all had those days. We walk past a conversation, participate in an annual job evaluation, or have a face to face talk with someone that leaves us totally deflated. To hear that another person's opinion of us or our actions is negative, no matter how misinformed, can make our day take a 180.
I recently found myself on the business end of a full blown critique. Now I never have expected everyone to always like me or how I operate. I'm fine with that. We all have our own style and should be allowed to fine-tune that style within the parameters of our job. But this person's opinion totally threw me off guard. Usually I listen to someone if they have concerns, take responsibility if I need to, fix what needs fixing, and get on with my day. Not so this time. Nope. For some reason this conversation bore deeply into my soul. It didn't take long for ugly fingers of self-doubt and second guessing to wind their way through my psyche. I gave myself the afternoon to process this, and then fully intended to proceed as normal. But I couldn't shake it off! I felt like my personhood had been attacked and maligned. I felt misunderstood, undervalued, and completely discouraged.
I chewed. I stewed. I cleaned things. Nothing helped. I couldn't gain clarity on this issue. It wasn't until late that night that I remembered to tap into my toolbox. As a Christian, I believe that there is a spiritual battle being waged daily, right in front of us...right in our presence. And I had done something that morning that had plastered a huge bulls eye right on my forehead. I had taken the time to have worship and give my life and all that came into my life that day to God. Now I would dearly love to tell you that when we as Christians take up the full armor of God in the morning and dedicate our lives and thoughts to him, then we sail through our day with unparalleled bliss and nothing stressful comes our way. Yes - there are days like that. But more often, the dark one takes that as a sign that he has to work a little harder to get our attention. If he can orchestrate circumstances in our day to distract, discourage, or dismay us, then his day is made. And that is exactly what he had done with me. He had taken all my focus and placed it inward. I was recalling incidents where what this person said may have been true. I was thinking of how to defend myself, I was completely bound up with hesitation and me me me. The evil one knows our pressure points, and he was leaning his full weight on mine...big time.
By the time I saw my reaction for what it truly was, I was consumed with fatigue. My shoulders sagged. I couldn't focus on the task at hand. He had me but good.
I went to my room and shut the door and fell on my knees and I claimed the full power of Jesus Christ to fight this battle for me. Not just the poor opinion that started the whole thing, but the fact that I was being targeted by forces much greater than me. But not greater than HIM. I told God I was stepping out of the cycle and replacing my weak humanity with His power. I begged for peace and claimed His promise in Deuteronomy 3:22 that states "Do not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God HIMSELF will fight for you."
HIMSELF.
God wasn't going to send his more-than-capable hosts of Angels to fight this battle. He was coming down here in person. For me. Because I asked. The very thought humbled me to the core but also made me feel that I had done all I could do. It was gratefully out of my hands. And I slept.
I woke up the next morning and I knew I still had work to do. But I could THINK. I came up with a three-pronged approach to address this person's concerns and implemented it immediately. We all have room to improve, and I plan on being teachable until the day I die. But the difference is, the hopelessness was gone. He had taken care of it. The dark heaviness had dissipated. Man was I thankful and told God what an awesome Savior he was...and how lucky and blessed I was to have Him in my corner 24/7. The learning point is to remember sooner to give our heartache to Him. He is such a gentle God that He waits for an invitation to come and make things new.
So the next time you are hit sideways with a nasty comment, remember this. Claim your status as a child of the most powerful King in the universe, and let HIM handle it. He is more than willing and he's got SKILLS!!
Make it a great day!!
I recently found myself on the business end of a full blown critique. Now I never have expected everyone to always like me or how I operate. I'm fine with that. We all have our own style and should be allowed to fine-tune that style within the parameters of our job. But this person's opinion totally threw me off guard. Usually I listen to someone if they have concerns, take responsibility if I need to, fix what needs fixing, and get on with my day. Not so this time. Nope. For some reason this conversation bore deeply into my soul. It didn't take long for ugly fingers of self-doubt and second guessing to wind their way through my psyche. I gave myself the afternoon to process this, and then fully intended to proceed as normal. But I couldn't shake it off! I felt like my personhood had been attacked and maligned. I felt misunderstood, undervalued, and completely discouraged.
I chewed. I stewed. I cleaned things. Nothing helped. I couldn't gain clarity on this issue. It wasn't until late that night that I remembered to tap into my toolbox. As a Christian, I believe that there is a spiritual battle being waged daily, right in front of us...right in our presence. And I had done something that morning that had plastered a huge bulls eye right on my forehead. I had taken the time to have worship and give my life and all that came into my life that day to God. Now I would dearly love to tell you that when we as Christians take up the full armor of God in the morning and dedicate our lives and thoughts to him, then we sail through our day with unparalleled bliss and nothing stressful comes our way. Yes - there are days like that. But more often, the dark one takes that as a sign that he has to work a little harder to get our attention. If he can orchestrate circumstances in our day to distract, discourage, or dismay us, then his day is made. And that is exactly what he had done with me. He had taken all my focus and placed it inward. I was recalling incidents where what this person said may have been true. I was thinking of how to defend myself, I was completely bound up with hesitation and me me me. The evil one knows our pressure points, and he was leaning his full weight on mine...big time.
By the time I saw my reaction for what it truly was, I was consumed with fatigue. My shoulders sagged. I couldn't focus on the task at hand. He had me but good.
I went to my room and shut the door and fell on my knees and I claimed the full power of Jesus Christ to fight this battle for me. Not just the poor opinion that started the whole thing, but the fact that I was being targeted by forces much greater than me. But not greater than HIM. I told God I was stepping out of the cycle and replacing my weak humanity with His power. I begged for peace and claimed His promise in Deuteronomy 3:22 that states "Do not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God HIMSELF will fight for you."
HIMSELF.
God wasn't going to send his more-than-capable hosts of Angels to fight this battle. He was coming down here in person. For me. Because I asked. The very thought humbled me to the core but also made me feel that I had done all I could do. It was gratefully out of my hands. And I slept.
I woke up the next morning and I knew I still had work to do. But I could THINK. I came up with a three-pronged approach to address this person's concerns and implemented it immediately. We all have room to improve, and I plan on being teachable until the day I die. But the difference is, the hopelessness was gone. He had taken care of it. The dark heaviness had dissipated. Man was I thankful and told God what an awesome Savior he was...and how lucky and blessed I was to have Him in my corner 24/7. The learning point is to remember sooner to give our heartache to Him. He is such a gentle God that He waits for an invitation to come and make things new.
So the next time you are hit sideways with a nasty comment, remember this. Claim your status as a child of the most powerful King in the universe, and let HIM handle it. He is more than willing and he's got SKILLS!!
Make it a great day!!
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