In the Word Wednesday...Did She Really Just Say That?! (Chapter 7)

Thanks so much for your patience this week, as I finally post our bible study post (3 days later!)...

Receiving comments with grace. Did you get that? With grace. I have to admit, I was really challenged with this week's chapter under study. When reading the title of the chapter, Did she really just say that? Receiving comments with grace, I was thinking "Yes, all my 'woe is me' experiences of others' insensitive remarks will be validated and I can recruit others to join in on my pity party!" This was not the case. Thank you Becky, for sharing Truth and for letting God use you to teach us.

In reading this chapter, I couldn't help but let my teacher mind wonder about some sort of formula to do just as Becky has instructed. I came up with a chart for organizing some of this information. I find this to be helpful in processing through some of the hurtful comments I can call to mind having received. It is a good way to re-think the motives behind the hurtful words that may have been voiced, and to give me a new focus for understanding and coping with such comments. Here is the table I came up with...feel free to use as you see fit.

Another point I wanted to draw out from this chapter includes the fact that Becky points out two hindrances to being able to receive comments with grace, based on her own personal experience. These two things were pride and rebellion. She described them as follows:

1. Pride: I didn't want to be told this; I already knew it.

2. Rebellion: I didn't want to be encouraged by these words; I wanted my babies...

(pg. 61 of And Then You Were Gone)

Can anyone else relate? Can you think back to any comments you may have received and re-evaluate the situation to see whether pride or rebellion stood in the way of your ability to receive such comments with grace? Personally, I can relate all too well, and am also able to identify other hindrances such as stubbornness, self-pity, and entitlement. What other hindrances in your own life can you identify? What is in the way of you being able to receive comments with grace?

Finally, I love how Becky acknowledges that none of this can be accomplished on our own human strength. She tenderly reminds us of the reliance we must have on God to be able to receive comments with grace. On pg. 62 she states, "I needed the discernment that can only come from the Holy Spirit. Only He could show us which words were applicable to our lives and which were not." This brings me to a point that must not be overlooked. The wisdom and discernment that comes from the Holy Spirit is present only in the hearts of those who have trusted in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. In John 14:16-17, Jesus says...

"And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever - the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you."

Jesus is speaking of the very biblical truth that the Holy Spirit, our counselor and helper, indwells the hearts of Believers - those who have embraced the truth of the gospel. Is that you? I direct you, again, to Appendix B (p. 103) of the book, Do You Know the Healer of Broken Hearts? Do you?

I pray boldly for each of you now...that those of you who know Jesus as Savior are able to call upon the power of the Holy Spirit, who dwells inside of you, to receive hurtful comments with grace and that you may be a testimony of God's grace to all who look upon you as you walk this difficult road. And for those of you who have not received Jesus, may this study, this blog, this ministry, these stories, and all that God places in your path, be a gentle nudge toward the saving One, Jesus Christ! God loves each and every one of you and desires to call you His own.

"Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."

John 1:12