Hebrews 12:1 – Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.
I have more stories than I care to remember about souls avoiding sound perspective in relationships because someone hurt their feelings by uttering a thoughtless remark, or because someone didn’t give enough undevided attention or merely looked at them for to long or to short period.
Hypersensitivity and pettiness about relatively minor offenses is one thing, but there’s a sense in which hypersensitivity can lead a person into self-centered behaviour causing anger, envy, and resentment- only seeing what makes sense to their own perception, forsaking even hearing, let alone heeding, the truth in the situation, because they are repulsed at the idea of being corrected, or critically regarded, by anyone! It matters not how diplomatically some kindly-intentioned counsel may have been offered. The rejection they experience become their only bound truth. “Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, and he who hates correction will die….He who disdains instruction despises his own soul,..” (Prov. 15: 10, 32) It is unquestionably clear that hypersensitive people tread a miserable alone path in this world, no matter how offensive they find others, blame others they start to lose all good relationships! (Acts 4:12)
Let us consider the child of YHVH who struggles with hypersensitivity.
As soldiers in YHVH’s army, one writer declared, WE need “tougher skins.” We are urged throughout the Word to obey the command given in this topic scripture.
We need to learn how to embrace the right type of sensitivity. YHVH commands us to “Put on, therefore, as the elect of YHVH, holy and beloved… tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another…” (Col. 3:12, 13) Let us look at King David, who in Psalm 141:5 petitioned YHVH to enable him to receive correction well: “Let His people smite me! It will be a kindness! If they reprove me, it is medicine! Don’t let me refuse it.”
Prayer: Dear Father, teach me the far-reaching wisdom of being “…quick to hear, [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry, [Jas. 1:19] without truly understanding other’s situation.” Thank You, YHVH; amein!
