Monday, September 29, 2008

Finding Fault

It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop [on the flat oriental roof, exposed to all kinds of weather] than in a house shared with a nagging, quarrelsome, and faultfinding woman.” (Prov 21:9 AMP)

It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a disagreeing, quarrelsome, and scolding woman.”  (Prov 25:24 AMP)

When we were first married, after a nice evening out I got into the car, and the first thing I told Gary about was a negative statement someone had made to me (and about me!).  Quickly I was convicted that after an entire evening, complete with an amazing dinner and wonderful people, the FIRST thing I mentioned was a negative thing.  I didn't see this flaw on the part of the person who said the comment to me; rather, it was quite obvious the flaw was in ME for choosing to concentrate on that one negative part of the evening and choose to think about THAT instead of the many other nice things...

At that moment, I pledged to myself and asked Gary to hold me accountable so that I would NEVER focus on the bad, but continually find the good and rehearse the best...  Over the years, it has sometimes been harder than others, but with the Lord's help I have chosen to concentrate on the good things rather than the negative.

We all need to do this in our homes, with our husbands, and with others.  Don't be so critical!  Some people are so critical of everything, you don't even want to be around them.  They're so busy telling you what's wrong, that when they're around, it feels like there really isn't much right.  I really think if you allow yourself to find fault with yourself and others, it becomes a habit and you do it more and more.  Soon you will find that people avoid you, because no one wants to be around someone who is finding fault all the time!

You then become a MIRROR to show people what's missing, lacking, off, or just not your taste... not a winsome personality that attracts others!

Challenge:  DO NOT CRITICIZE yourself, your husband or others!  Find the good!  Rehearse the good things!  "Build up" rather than "tear down" people and relationships!  If you have a critical HABIT, BREAK it!  Start looking for, finding, and concentrating on the good things today!


1 comment:

We Love to Run! said...

good stuff thanks for the advice mom