I love a measured, intelligent, respectful, reasonable discussion. But it needs to be two-way (minimum) and out of consideration allow the other person to make their points and explain (defend, if it comes to that) their point of view. Not only as a matter of civility and politeness, but because questions (even harsh reactions) are opportunities to look at one’s own views from a different angle. Criticism is a great way of being jolted into re-examination and out of blithely assuming everyone’s on board.
You learn a lot about your own positions on issues via discussion because it’s an occasion to re-ponder what and how one really thinks about something. It prompts you to reflect, re-phrase and re-articulate. Sometimes to modify and grow, sometimes to affirm and clarify.
It’s not only healthy intellectual exercise, it forms relationship because it begins to forge your history with those who don’t understand the subject the way you do. Even with outright opposition. Or as we parliamentarians like to call ourselves, The Loyal Opposition.
Opposition = Relationship
Unfortunately, you don’t always get that kind of consideration. As humans, Christians sometimes will blow someone off without allowing for the possibility of a thoughtful reply. Or even (horrors!) that we might learn something.
Thus far, the responses to Healing Your Financial Soul have been overwhelmingly positive, and even more so to the seminars. But once in a while there’s an interesting reaction or response. The topic of money will do that. I try to treat them as opportunities, although so far the responses-to-my-responses have been mostly dismissive and closed. Shame, really.
Such an opportunity came up recently and I thought it’d be fun to post a short series of those objections and responses. It would be WONDERFUL if you were to jump in and add your thoughts as well.
What I’ll do is take a handful of negative feedback (veiled so as not to embarrass anyone in the remote happenstance that they see their own comments and are concerned that others might call them out out) along with my points of view.
But you know I like to keep my posts short and to the point, so I’ll begin with the next post.
“I am rich in _____!”
Healing Your Financial Soul 