Communication
is a very difficult talent to perfect. What I say, what I mean by what I say,
and what you hear me say, often have very different perspectives. At times, we expect
others to know how we feel without us even saying a word.
We
can take offense, if we assume that we understand what another person says to
us, unless we take the time and effort to clarify what we think we heard,
especially when we feel a negative emotion arise in our soul, due to our
assumptions.
We
may also doubt our self, and believe that people could not possibly love us as
we really are - with all of our foibles and imperfections. People can sense our
guarded attitude and interpret it as mean-spirited, cold-hearted or a fear of
commitment.
Therefore,
they may reject us before we can reject them. Fear of vulnerability causes us
to throw our self into our vocation, hobbies, other people's families, and
charitable causes for our fulfillment. We convince our self that we do not need
anyone to feel whole and complete.
Of
course, clarifying what we think we heard takes courage and vulnerability. The
alternative is to live a guarded life, controlled by the fear of hurt,
rejection or disappointment. This stilted lifestyle robs us of the joy,
spontaneity and love that is possible with an open heart.
We
can change this toxic cycle by realizing our need for God, which will fill that
longing in our soul. We learn to love as He loves, to lay down our life for
others as Jesus laid down His life for us, and to serve and help others with a
compassionate and joyful heart as His Spirit leads us.
Prayer:
Father
God, remind us that we can only love others as we love our self (Mark 12:31).
Attempting to hide our authentic self from others in order to prevent hurt and
possible rejection, reduces our ability to serve You with our life; so give us
the courage to risk vulnerability, and to allow You to use us to bless other
people. We love functioning through our gifts in a local congregation of
Believers, which helps us to flourish in body, soul and spirit.
Help
us to analyze our negative emotions throughout the day and to care for our needs,
or to leave them in Your capable hands. Teach us how to heal from the toxic
comments made to us, and about us, by significant people in our past. Remind us
that Your Word is a two edged sword (Hebrews 4:12), which can help us to heal
from our insecurities and to grow in our faith in Your faithfulness.
Thought
for the Day:
When
God created Adam, He decided that Adam needed companionship; we also need close
friends, family and an intimate relationship with our Father God in order to
find fulfillment during our lifetime on this earth, and to enter eternity as
part of the family of God.
-
Genesis 2:18-20; Ephesians 2:19-22
