Scenario
Saturday:
Mary: Hi, Emma
Emma: Hi- what's up with you hair it's not as nice as it was yesterday.
Mary: silenced in shock- awkward scilence forces her to give out a fake laugh.
Mary's thoughts: How many times is this girl going to criticise everything that I do does she not know that, she has never complimented me, (not that I need it), but what a criticising person! Lord, help her and help me not hold anything against her.
Ah.... and now on centre stage is the tongue!
This is the sense that causes the most scandle for us as women, girls, mother, grandmother, the Human Female species! Many times as in the scenario above, are we affected by the criticizing bug. The symptoms are usally clear, the victim can not go a whole conversation without something criticizing to say. What inspired me to really home in on this issue, is the fact that I too was affected by this bug. There was time in my when a friend of mine would not even say 'Hello' before saying, I don't like this, I don't like that, I would do it like this or like that. The virus spread so fast that not only I was feeling the strain of this bug but I witnessed other receiving it also.
I am not saying that we must be fake and not speak our mind, but think with me, is what you're about to say going to add to a pile of crtisims that you have already launched at the person. In charcater we who are striving to know God or even believe that you are baptised with The Holy Spirit, must seek every opportunity gentle. Both in speech and behaviour, because it is one of the attributes of the Holy Spirit.
You may be thinking now- wow I have been infected with the virus of critizing everything I see and my loved ones have been at the brunt of it all. Nadine what can I do?
Am I asking you to never have critizing word to say again in your life? NO
There are times when it will be necessary for us to give constructive critizism to those who are dearest to us, as a means to help them, because we love them. However, learn to measure your words, know what God is using you to say to that person and what is just you adding the icing on the cake!
Right example: Hi Abigail your hair looks nice, but I think it could be even better if you added.....
Wrong example: Hi Abigail your hair looks okay, it could be better!
You see the difference, use your mind and think how you would feel in their shoes!
This is the sense that causes the most scandle for us as women, girls, mother, grandmother, the Human Female species! Many times as in the scenario above, are we affected by the criticizing bug. The symptoms are usally clear, the victim can not go a whole conversation without something criticizing to say. What inspired me to really home in on this issue, is the fact that I too was affected by this bug. There was time in my when a friend of mine would not even say 'Hello' before saying, I don't like this, I don't like that, I would do it like this or like that. The virus spread so fast that not only I was feeling the strain of this bug but I witnessed other receiving it also.
I am not saying that we must be fake and not speak our mind, but think with me, is what you're about to say going to add to a pile of crtisims that you have already launched at the person. In charcater we who are striving to know God or even believe that you are baptised with The Holy Spirit, must seek every opportunity gentle. Both in speech and behaviour, because it is one of the attributes of the Holy Spirit.
You may be thinking now- wow I have been infected with the virus of critizing everything I see and my loved ones have been at the brunt of it all. Nadine what can I do?
Am I asking you to never have critizing word to say again in your life? NO
There are times when it will be necessary for us to give constructive critizism to those who are dearest to us, as a means to help them, because we love them. However, learn to measure your words, know what God is using you to say to that person and what is just you adding the icing on the cake!
Right example: Hi Abigail your hair looks nice, but I think it could be even better if you added.....
Wrong example: Hi Abigail your hair looks okay, it could be better!
You see the difference, use your mind and think how you would feel in their shoes!
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