How Are Your Receptors?
Maturity and discernment are two qualities that we need in order to determine what to receive and what to turn away or refuse. Often we receive things that we shouldn’t keep. Other times we refuse things that we should be open to receiving.
This post focuses on the latter point which is refusing things that we should be open to receive. And to that point, I ask a question: How are your receptors? Your receptors are your heart, mind, and spirit. It is through these channels that we take in, process, and accept or deny information. In my own personal experience, three things that have been extremely difficult for me to receive are:
1.) The truth when I didn’t want to see it, know it, or believe it.
2.) Reality when I didn’t want to face it.
3.) Constructive criticism when I wanted to do things my own way.
I’m willing to bet that I’m not the only person who has had difficulty with this.
Nevertheless, life would flow so much easier if we could just be open to receiving truth and reality the same way we like to give it out when we are offering advice to other people.
If you want to test your receptors then take heed to this hefty realization:
Chances are that if friends, family, or colleagues seem to beat around the bush a lot when they are trying to express the truth to you, lovingly correct you, or inform you to the reality of a given situation, then it might be a sign that you need to adjust your receptors. Adjusting your receptors means that the same way you would lovingly offer the truth, constructive criticism, or advice to those you love, is the same way you should lovingly be open to hearing what they also have to say to you in return. If those you love or respect seem to have a hard time communicating with you, it’s time to ask yourself why and ask them why as well. Then, be open to what you receive!
The thing is that we all need constructive criticism every once and a while. We also need to hear the truth so that we aren’t going through life in a blind, ignorant stupor. However, if you are overly defensive and sensitive to every single thing that a person says to you because it inadvertently contradicts your beliefs or doesn’t soothe your feelings, then you are allowing yourself to miss out on a lot in life. You will cause yourself to miss out on a lot of opportunities, a lot of blessings, and a lot of help. In the spiritual sense, you could also cause yourself to miss out on a breakthrough or a deliverance simply because you don’t know how to receive a word.
And yes, although it is true that some people can be blunt, brash, and should probably change their method of delivery when telling the truth or giving out advice, it doesn’t mean that you should automatically choose to be offended or see yourself as a subject of judgment. Take what you can use or what should be used and disregard the rest.
To be open minded is to always be learning; not just about the outside world but about yourself as well. Sometimes there are things that those close to us can see that we ourselves cannot see.
Your receptors should always be ready to receive any loving and Godly truth and direction and constructive criticism. It will only help you and propel you forward to bettering yourself as well as your situations and circumstances.
Be open, be willing to listen, be willing to learn, and be willing to receive.
A. L. Hearn