I would venture to say that we all have experienced a harsh word, destructive criticism or a various tearing down from someone at one time or another.

  There are times too when we perhaps we have not acted as responsible as we should in dealing with a situation or business affair. In most cases when this happens someone will surly reprimand us.

  And of course there is plenty of opportunity for those in our recovery fellowships to take our inventory and blurt out some uninvited suggestion with a humiliating tone.

  When this happens to me I sometimes experience a heat sensation rising up within me and I feel like an active volcano ready to erupt. It is at this time I should take the opportunity to silently ask my Higher Power of guidance and direction. Perhaps He will give me the strength to stay quiet. Perhaps He will give me the right words to say. And wouldn’t it be grand indeed if we obey that direction and speak forth God’s words and not our own?

  Folks, the fact is that when someone attacks our character it hurts, it angers us and we take the defensive. We somehow feel we have a duty to ourselves to pull out our sword and hack off the attackers ear. But our Higher Power speaks to us in a still small voice and let’s us know that it is a kind word that turns away the wrath of another. It is in responding with a smile and letting the other party know that you will consider what they have said and politely excuse ourselves.

  Is this an unattainable reaction on our part? Not at all. But it takes practice and like patience there is always the experience of personal pain.

  It has taken me several years to develop the art of positive reaction to a seemingly critical spirit of another, but it can be done if we will only remember to keep in constant contact with our Higher Power, seek His will for us and desire to become more like Him in our affairs.

Meditorial

  This week when I encounter an angry or hostile personality I will remember that they are in a process of growth just as I am. That we may not even be able to see it but God does and is dealing with them in His own way.