Be Honest – Part 2
Last week I chose one of 4 questions that can be used to make sure that my discernment is God directed and not personal. I chose number 2 to start. Do I feel jealous or threatened?
Today I will go back to number 1.
Am I a critical person by nature?
This hit me hard. I am constantly judging people, actions and ideas. I ask these questions:
Why did that happen?
Why would she do such a thing?
Wouldn’t it be better if…?
I guess the perfectionism in me brings out this characteristic. What I do know is that I can overcome some of this by looking to God. I have a particularly strong nature – so I have to temper that with a lot of prayer in order to know that it is God speaking and not me. I don’t want to be deceived by this earthly characteristic.
For example: Three years ago I went on a mission trip to Poland. I was led to believe I had charge of the children’s program. Organizer that I am, I prepared what I thought would be the best for the children. After the first day I knew there was a problem. I could feel the tension in the group of leaders. We had a number of Polish leaders in our group who were strong willed as well. You can see a confrontation coming can’t you? Thank the Lord – I saw it, too. After praying by myself I knew the only way to reconcile this group was a group prayer session. I immediately called the group together to pray. As we spilled out our hearts to God, tears ran and we all agreed to listen closely to every opinion. We revamped the program and it ran very well for the rest of the week. That was a lesson in discernment – hearing God after getting rid of my critical nature. Painful but productive for God and eventually for me.
Prayer:
Father, for those of us who are critical by nature, help us see the Truth of Your will in all our situations. Be our guiding Light so we can hear from You and not from our own natures. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN
Next week I will continue with another question. This study is based on a book called Faithful, Abundant and True with Kay Arthur, Priscilla Shirer and Beth Moore.
