In A Closer Walk Catherine Marshall writes, ‘One morning last week God gave me an assignment for one day. I was to go on a “fast” from criticism. I was not to criticize anybody or anything. ‘For the first half of the day I simply felt a void, almost as if I’d been wiped out as a person. This was especially true at lunch. I listened to the others and kept silent. In our talkative family nobody seemed to notice. Bemused, I noted that the Federal Government, the judicial system, and the institutional church could apparently get along just fine without my personal observations!
But still I did not see what this “fast from criticism” was accomplishing – until mid-afternoon. ‘In the afternoon God gave me a new vision for my life. And it had His unmistakable hallmark on it – joy! Ideas began to come to me in a way I hadn’t experienced in years. Now it was apparent what the Lord wanted me to see. My critical nature had not solved a single one of the multitudinous things I had found fault with. What it had done was to stifle my own creativity.’
Listen, ‘ Words kill, words give life…you choose’, (Proverbs 18:21). Negative words create an atmosphere in which positive people cannot live, and creative solutions cannot be found. Only in a climate of faith and acceptance can risks be taken, progress be made, and dreams be fulfilled.
Written by and used with permission from Tim Hetzner.
That little article on fasting from criticizing was just what I needed. Like, at this very moment! I’m so glad I came on to find the link about the sample Truth Statements. I still haven’t found it, but I’m happy and grateful I stopped to read that section of the Blog.
Can you tell me where to find the link I was–also?–looking for?
Thank you.
And thank you, God, especially.
Glenn
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