So last night two people talked to me about something that made me defensive. It wasn’t that they attacked me. They didn’t. It wasn’t that I don’t love both of these people. I do. I wish I could blame them. I can’t.
So later I took them aside and asked their forgiveness. Because they knew I was defensive. Worse yet, this morning after thinking, praying and reading… I know they had a point. They were in a sense right. Now I had a point too… but that isn’t the point (that’s enough points).
I hate when I feel the heat prickles on my neck. I hate when I get defensive. I hate when I’m not soft and gentle. It reminds me how far I’ve got to go. Sometimes it sucks to be me.
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22 NLT
3 comments:
Great post! For me there seem to be several things that cause me to get defensive right away - I haven't prepared enough for what I am doing, I don't know something that I feel like I should, I have made a bad decision and should have known better but don't want to face up to it, or someone is telling me the truth and I just don't want to listen.
What I find is that I have to fight back that initial defensive response and just shut my mouth and then admit if I am wrong. Easier to say then do.....
Interesting topic! I find I am the most defensive when it is more important to me that I am right, as opposed to listening what the other person might be trying to say. I hate pride. It messes up a lot! Someone I consider quite wise once said to me... (in regards to issues in my marriage) "Would you rather be right or married?" 12 years later we're still married and I figured out that he's right sometimes, even when it hurts!
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