open to correction
Do you react to correction with openness, defensiveness, a mix of both?
1 Samuel 1:10, 13-15, 17
In bitter spirits, Hannah wept and wept as she prayed to Living God... She was praying in her heart; her lips moved, but her voice was silent, so that Eli assumed she was drunk. He said, “How long will you act like a drunk? Sober up!” Eli told her.
“No sir!” Hannah replied. “I’m just a woman of strained spirit…pouring myself out to Living God.”
Eli responded, “Then go in peace. And may the God of Israel give you what you’ve asked.”
Her grief mocked by her co-wife and minimized by her husband, Hannah brings it to God.
Unfortunately, Eli the priest is scrutinizing worshipers — not to be ready to offer support, but on the lookout for “faith fakers” — and hones in on this woman who doesn’t meet his standards of appropriate prayer.
I’m reminded of what Amy Kenny calls “disability doubters” in My Body Is Not a Prayer Request: the people who think they serve “real” disabled folks by confronting “fakers.” Kenny recounts how anywhere she goes, from the DMV to church, skeptical strangers demand proof of her disability.
Thankfully, Eli proves open to correction. He accepts Hannah’s account of her own suffering — without prying for proof or details! Nor does he try to be a “solver” or “teacher” — doesn’t promise it’ll “all work out” and she’ll “come out stronger.”
He simply offers encouragement, without pretending fertility is guaranteed.
Do you react to correction with openness, defensiveness, a mix of both? What might boost your ability to accept you did unintentional harm, and make amends? Alone or with a partner, devise an action plan for next time that defensive reflex rears its head.