ChoicesShembull

Will you choose gratitude when corrected?

Many of you work for, are married to, or are the child of someone who is constantly looking for what is wrong with what you say or do. At least that’s your perception. He or she is a micro-manager, trying to make sure everything is going well, and not trusting you to be a responsible person to properly take care of things. Whether from fear of superiors, or just a controlling personality, these people are difficult to work with and very difficult to live with. We know we need to honor them, but it feels like hugging a cactus. 

Living with or working for these people brings immense pressure. And pressure reveals and exposes our hearts. We want to believe the problem is with the other person, and maybe a lot of it is. But our responsibility is only for ourselves and the way we respond.

What if we took a different approach? What if, rather than being frustrated when corrected, we were proactive and asked for feedback? What if we started asking what we could do better without waiting to be told?

To your boss: How can I best serve you today?  

To your husband or wife: Tell me one or two things that I could work on that would make your life easier.

A teen to your parent: Tell me a weak point you recognize in me that could be developed and made stronger.

Asking for feedback shines light in the hidden places we don’t see. It brings awareness, another set of eyes recognizing what we may not detect.  

Prayer is a great form of receiving feedback, as is reading scripture and comparing our hearts to His. We fall short, I know. But as we learn more of Who He is, and as our desires conform to His, we will welcome feedback to expose the blind places in our hearts. We will exchange resentment and stagnation for gratitude and growth. 

Are you finding yourself offended by and resistant to these difficult people? Go ask those hard questions. It’s only pride and immaturity that hold us back. Ask God and others to reveal your blind spots. You, and the people you are around, will be better for it.  

Choose feedback and correction. It will bring gratitude instead of resentment.