Every little boy gets his share of "boo-boos" - that's what little boys' knees and elbows are for! I never could convince by mother that all I needed for my wound was a kiss. She always went to the medicine chest and pulled out this little bottle of liquid. I dreaded it! It was iodine. And, man, did that stuff ever sting! But my Mom knew what she was doing - yes, it stings, but it also disinfected!
Well, I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A WORD WITH YOU today about "It Stings - But It Disinfects."
Now, words can sting, too. You've probably noticed that - especially critical words. But they may be a lot like iodine. Listen to our word for today from the Word of God in Proverbs 15:31 - "He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise."
Notice, a rebuke can actually be "life-giving." It doesn't usually feel life-giving. When someone points out something they don't like about us, it hurts. It stings. But God says if we heed that criticism or rebuke, we're showing how wise we are. In fact, according to Proverbs 27:6, "wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses."
First, when someone who cares about us points out something they see in us, it does feel like a "wound." The Bible acknowledges that it hurts. But it also says that those comments can be "trusted" when they come from a friend. People who don't care about you may tell you whatever you want to hear, but those who do care will tell you what you need to hear!
When we love someone, we have a responsibility to be a mirror for them - to show them what we see when we look at them. Sometimes, that means we'll be affirming what things they are doing right, praising them for strong points they have that they may not be able to see. But our love also means we must hold up the mirror sometimes to show them how they're coming across, what they're doing wrong sometimes. We all hate to hear that we are unbuttoned or unzipped, but it's a good thing they let us know. It can save us a lot of embarrassment!
So when a friend or loved one points out something that isn't fun to hear, don't get angry with them ... don't just disregard what they said. Consider what it is that may have made them say that - what do they see that maybe you can't see about yourself? Maybe only a percentage of what they point out is accurate - but you need to prayerfully consider what part of it is true. It's hard for me to face this, but there must be something I'm doing or communicating that has made this person have this perception. The Bible says that those who listen openly and honestly to one of their "mirrors" will be "at home among the wise."
In some ways, the closer the person is to us, the harder it is for us to humbly and undefensively receive critical feedback. Like from our spouse, for example. But those are the comments we should give the greatest weight to - this is someone who loves us, someone who knows us well. And when we are giving someone constructive criticism, let's be sure we assure them of our love, of our belief in them - that that's the reason we're giving them this hard-to-hear input.
The "iodine" of someone's criticism - well, it does sting ... but what stings can also kill infection!
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Copyright © Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc., PO Box 400, Harrison, AR 72602. Used by permission. Written by Ron Hutchcraft. 'Practical Answers to Real Life Issues'
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