Every Friday I’m going to ask a question. The questions I choose might be ambiguous on purpose. The goal is to have you answer the question according to your beliefs, where you’re at in life or a circumstance that might have recently impacted you. The only thing I ask is that you provide an explanation for why you answered the way you did.
It's my hope to understand you better through this and also to gain a greater understanding of humanity and how people make decisions.
Dish it out or Take it?
*photos by flickr
Jeepers. I wish I could say take it, but I know I'm better at dishing than taking. This works well when I'm encouraging a bro or sis, but not so well when the Lord is correcting me or someone criticizes me. Then I want to cover my ears and sing. Real loud.
ReplyDeleteI take it. I never feel right dishing it out, but I've been known to do so - in fun, that is.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking Blogger is having issues w/ comments again based on stats.
ReplyDeleteHope to hear from you.
~ Wendy
Do more taking it, but am learning to speak up. In pastoral care one can often become a toxic waste receptacle for those who are dishers. It may be therapeutic for them to be able to vent to a safe person, but I don't receive and/or keep the toxic stuff - I pass it on to the ONE who can handle it. Many times I very calmly and gently rephrase what someone has vented by asking how they would feel if they were on the receiving end of the same kind of rant. Some have thanked me and said that they finally 'got it'. Not everything that we think and feel needs to be verbally expressed. Interesting question!!
ReplyDeleteBoth--but I tend to take it more than I dish it out. :)
ReplyDelete*sigh* Take it. I had fights and I'm the last to start one. I trust the Lord will work things out for me, but sometimes I wonder what's really going on.
ReplyDeleteI'm learning to take it. I hate either way.
ReplyDeleteI tend to take it for awhile, then I put my foot down and dish it out.
ReplyDeleteTake it. To me, "dishing it out" means giving criticism with a certain relish for delivering bad news, and I try not to do that. The expression may not mean that to everyone.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I do speak plainly in difficult situations, so some others may think I dish it out. :-) It depends how direct they are in their speech, and whether they're accustomed to roundabout language or to frankness. I'm also pretty good at taking criticism, though, even when it's delivered harshly. My feelings may be hurt, but I still evaluate the advice objectively for what is true and what is false, regardless of how it's said.
I think I take it more than dish it. But my poor hubbie gets all the scoop for what I take and don't say.
ReplyDeleteTake it. When I try and dish it out, it usually doesn't come out right. So I figure that's a divine sign. :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Karen
Hi Wendy -
ReplyDeleteI'm usually on the taking end. For a long time, I had scuff marks on my back from people using me as a doormat.
Since then, I've stood up and responded with more balance.
Blessings,
Susan :)
I don't like confrontations....so "I take it", unless it just goes on and on and on. But, if it is fun and joking...I can "dish it out" with the rest of them. That is way more fun!
ReplyDeleteIf a friend asks tough questions, I try to answer truthfully in love...so maybe that is "gentle dishing out"?
(Those bunnies are so cute!)
ReplyDeleteTake it.
I hate conflict and I feel disgusting about myself if I say heated things to another person. I'd much rather take it silently so I don't have anything on my conscience.
Of course there are times to talk things out, but the idea of "dishing it out" terrifies me.
Except when I'm lecturing my children. I seem to have no problem dishing it out then. :)
Amy
Take it. I dish things our very well to my husband, but he's the only one. Sometimes I think I should dish out a little better, not that someone deserves it, just that I think it's important to express your emotions and I have trouble with that.
ReplyDeleteGood question!
Take it. Like Jessica said, I tend to dish it out to my husband...Poor guy, I've got to dish it out to someone, and he's the easiest target sometimes. :)
ReplyDeleteDish it out but learning to take it.
ReplyDeleteThat's more God's way for me.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, you VSP!!!
Patti
Take it. A million times, take it.
ReplyDeleteHowever much it might hurt, pain is better than guilt and regret.
Take it.
ReplyDeleteTurn the other cheek.
There is a line from a song in Jakob Dylan's newest album "if you can't take a punch, you might as well quit. It doesn't matter how hard you hit."
Good question!