“As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Col. 3:12
Dear Jesus, it the little “t” trauma department, I have ouch-memories of biting flies raining down on our family picnic on the beach. Every time we’d reposition up the coast, they’d follow us, intent on making us their picnic. Our bug spray seemed liked honey to them, as they continued to bite, sting, and gnaw. Our only recourse was to go inside.
Well, there are human-biting-flies too, but you don’t intend us to live life on the defensive or always inside. So you’ve given us Gospel-Gore-Tex to wear all the time—whether it’s raining human-biting flies, two-legged piranha, or people-ticks. As your “chosen, set-apart, and dearly loved” Bride, we are to clothe ourselves with 5-layered grace on a daily basis. “Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience”—these grace-garments are never out of style, breathable but warm, and are very comfortable when worn next to the heart. They serve us well in every setting, every day.
Like when we’re the target of unjust criticism of passive aggressive spite. Or when a pop-up storm of the devil’s condemning work dumps on us. Or when we step into someone’s really hard day, week, or life… and we become the outlet for their shame, anger, and sadness.
All metaphors and analogies aside, Jesus, this is serious stuff. How we love, react, and respond matters—whether we are receiving criticism, OR are the agents of it. You have told us “the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself in love” (Gal. 5:6). Help us Jesus, big time, help us. Help us receive feedback non-defensively and give feedback lovingly. But don’t let any devilish judgmentalism enter our spirit. So Very Amen.