Laura Laughlin Life Lesson #7
LAURA LIFE LESSON #7 – Constructive criticism and the other kind
One of Laura’s favorite things was our periodic “relationship retreats.” This gave us an opportunity to pause from the busyness of life and discuss our short-term and long-term goals for our relationship. We were both required to give specific examples of what we were happy about and what we were not so happy about. You should have seen how excited she would get for these days. I had to come up with a few things for her to improve on (it was difficult!), but I knew she would have her list for me. She enjoyed hearing what I would suggest and would go to work on whatever it was. She would ask me often how she was doing. I marveled at the way she viewed the criticism as a way to improve and further develop our relationship.
We all see the inherent value in constructive criticism and often change in response to well presented suggestions. Self perceived unjustified critique is another story. Unfortunately, we live in a world where gossip, hearsay, and rumor can become commonplace. These difficulties may arise more often than we desire. How should believers act to defend themselves against these possibilities? What should we do? Absolutely nothing, except to press forward.
First, Christ already took on this problem and teaches the inevitability and perpetual condition of this reality in our lives. God’s Word repeatedly teaches the difference in two key terms. These terms, character and reputation, seem similar upon initial glance but differ drastically. One is what people may think you are, the other is what you are. One can be devastatingly wrong, the other cannot be. You are always in control of one, but control in the other is limited. One blows as the wind, the other lays firm as a rock. On judgment day; one will be carefully analyzed, the other cast aside.
Jesus was called a drunk, a liar, and a hypocrite. Would our salvation have been secured if He spent all His time defending a reputation? His character and destination were always secured and His mission endured to the end. What an example to us all! Are you satisfied with your character or are you a touch too focused on maintaining a reputation? It’s never too late to change.
GOD BLESSES THOSE WHO ARE PERSECUTED FOR DOING RIGHT, FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS THEIRS. GOD BLESSES YOU WHEN PEOPLE MOCK YOU AND PERSECUTE YOU AND LIE ABOUT YOU AND SAY ALL SORTS OF EVIL THINGS AGAINST YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE MY FOLLOWERS. BE HAPPY ABOUT IT! BE VERY GLAD! FOR A GREAT REWARD AWAITS YOU IN HEAVEN. AND REMEMBER, THE ANCIENT PROPHETS WERE PERSECUTED IN THE SAME WAY. (Matthew 5:10-12)
We love you,
Jeff and Laura Laughlin
One of Laura’s favorite things was our periodic “relationship retreats.” This gave us an opportunity to pause from the busyness of life and discuss our short-term and long-term goals for our relationship. We were both required to give specific examples of what we were happy about and what we were not so happy about. You should have seen how excited she would get for these days. I had to come up with a few things for her to improve on (it was difficult!), but I knew she would have her list for me. She enjoyed hearing what I would suggest and would go to work on whatever it was. She would ask me often how she was doing. I marveled at the way she viewed the criticism as a way to improve and further develop our relationship.
We all see the inherent value in constructive criticism and often change in response to well presented suggestions. Self perceived unjustified critique is another story. Unfortunately, we live in a world where gossip, hearsay, and rumor can become commonplace. These difficulties may arise more often than we desire. How should believers act to defend themselves against these possibilities? What should we do? Absolutely nothing, except to press forward.
First, Christ already took on this problem and teaches the inevitability and perpetual condition of this reality in our lives. God’s Word repeatedly teaches the difference in two key terms. These terms, character and reputation, seem similar upon initial glance but differ drastically. One is what people may think you are, the other is what you are. One can be devastatingly wrong, the other cannot be. You are always in control of one, but control in the other is limited. One blows as the wind, the other lays firm as a rock. On judgment day; one will be carefully analyzed, the other cast aside.
Jesus was called a drunk, a liar, and a hypocrite. Would our salvation have been secured if He spent all His time defending a reputation? His character and destination were always secured and His mission endured to the end. What an example to us all! Are you satisfied with your character or are you a touch too focused on maintaining a reputation? It’s never too late to change.
GOD BLESSES THOSE WHO ARE PERSECUTED FOR DOING RIGHT, FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS THEIRS. GOD BLESSES YOU WHEN PEOPLE MOCK YOU AND PERSECUTE YOU AND LIE ABOUT YOU AND SAY ALL SORTS OF EVIL THINGS AGAINST YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE MY FOLLOWERS. BE HAPPY ABOUT IT! BE VERY GLAD! FOR A GREAT REWARD AWAITS YOU IN HEAVEN. AND REMEMBER, THE ANCIENT PROPHETS WERE PERSECUTED IN THE SAME WAY. (Matthew 5:10-12)
We love you,
Jeff and Laura Laughlin
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