Criticism!!!
I've decided I'm going to take all of it I can get! I'm going to drink it up like my daily shot of Apple Cider Vinegar and feel it burn down my throat all the way to my stomach. No matter who gives it, wherever it comes from; I'm going to take it!
See, what's been happening to me as of late has secretly been an answer to my prayers. I've asked God to take every ounce of pride out of me but I wasn't aware of all the ways he would do it. But today, as I sat looking at my phone going through a series of messages, I became perplexed at how I became the on the hook person in a particular situation. In my mind, I was following up on what someone else asked me to do in the way they asked me but all of a sudden it became more of a "thing" than how it first started. My immediate reaction was to go to the offense like, "how is it my fault now?" But after taking a few moments to think through the eyes of love, I quickly got a new revelation.
The Lord, quickly checked me in a sit down and be humble way by allowing me to take the correction and criticism AND keep it pushing. Most times I don't want to keep it pushing so I end up in a puddle of self-pity and proof that people are out to get me but I never learn or grow from the experience. So instead, I sat and listened..... IMAGINE THAT! And in that listening, heard an answer to my prayers. I've been looking for the breaking and shifting to come in my own way but here was an example of it in front of me.
In my journey to break pride, self-condemnation, people pleasing, and fear of man I need to open my eyes to my prayers really being answered. No it may not happen they way I think it will but it will happen if I am open and ready for the lessons. Maybe you are different, but the pain of many past relationships has blocked part of what I've been able to receive from those around me sometimes. My preconceived ideals of people and their motives also stunts my ability to relate with them as well.
I encourage you to take many moments to listen to the correct still voice in your head. His voice will lead you in grace and love. Not judgement and wrong decision. Even if you are thinking crazy, if you settle in to The One who knows all things, you will never go wrong. Take the correction, criticism, judgement, etc. in a way to become better. It may not always be exactly what you need in all situations but you can learn something from it.
My word for 2017 was grit. I felt like God spoke that word to me even before the end of 2016 but I never accomplished all I was supposed to with it in 2017. So here we are in 2018 and because it was incomplete, it still remains in my life. I tell you that for both accountability purposes and as a way to tell you to not give up on the hard stuff. Somewhere in my life, I began to settle and forgot what it meant to dig in deeper when times got tough. Instead, I became more timid and would cower away when I was meant to put up a big fight.
Let's fight together for everything that belongs to us! Including the tough lessons along our journey of life.
Until next time!