Are You Thankful For Feedback?
Some of you may know that I like to right about revelation and inflection points. A related issue is being prepared to hear from God. That could be from your close relative or a passing stranger. The word I need may be in another’s lips. Are you thankful for feedback? Even critical feedback?
Feedback can hurt and rub against us as being wrong. Some feedback really is not meant for us. Some people may be transferring bad attitude to you as you are the safest one. Getting that feedback means you have done well to be safe for that person.
Lots of feedback has at least a kernel of truth that I need to hear. Can i receive it?
Feedback hurts. I try to receive in silence and go back later and thank the person. When I am all well, I can thank them on the spot. The Bible says in Colossians:
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
and in I Thessalonians:
18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Peace may be that I choose not to fight. Thankfulness is a higher calling as I am inviting someone to hit me again.
What a shocking world if we ask God, “When should I thank?” God answers- in all circumstances.
Are You Thankful for Feedback – Practically?
Yikes. God really wants us to be Holy. This command is a high calling and likely you cannot master in any one day. Let us try to take big or even little steps to thank people who care enough to correct us.
It is fearful to correct someone. Even if they are wrong, we should thank them for their care. People have to be brave as many people do not receive feedback well. So it is hard to live in peace. We are called to be thankful.
We all need more help than we think we do. Let’s be humble enough to receive more correction. It is often hard to see ourselves as we are so naturally subjective. When God talks about sin, he is often unhappy about our unwillingness to be corrected. We always think the message is for someone else. It is hard to reach us. No wonder, God has to crush us sometimes. Let’s put feet on our efforts to be holy and work on first thanking people who correct us.
