Attitudes/Answers with Olen Baker

Success in a relationship is not always easy.  It requires both of you to share similar values and a focused vision on the future.  Communication is at the key of making that happen.

Relationships are a mix of mutual values.  That means listening first and then gently telling how you feel.  Respect always comes first.

Compatibility has to be nurtured, the same way you would care for a child.  Gentle, loving, consistent acts will help you get there.

Perfect compatibility is not a requirement for a strong relationship.  Communication is an essential element for building it.

The perfect soul mate.  Yeah, right.  Not so easy to find, is it?

Commitment solidifies compatibility by pledging long-term security.  Not always easy, but always necessary.

Not many want discord in a relationship.  Not even you.  But when discord exists, life can be tougher than is should be.  Are you in a compatible relationship?

You might call it a soul mate.  Finding the right person is the mystery of the ages.  So how is your journey going?

Compatibility is synonymous with harmony and unity.  That formula works well in any relationship.  So, how about you?

It's easy to be critical.  Not so easy to be correct.  God can help you with that conversation.

When criticism is paired with wisdom and insight it has a much better chance of creating change for the better.  We are flawed, we sometimes fail, but when we are given proper direction, we become better in God's eyes.

It's important to accept feedback when and where you have fallen short.  We are human.  We sometimes fail.  It's also important to apologize so we can move forward with a clean heart.  Not always easy, but always necessary.

God tells us to model his grace and mercy in place of being critical or cynical.  Be careful how you live.  It has lasting effects.

Sure, you'll respond with anger and doubt about the person giving you criticism and eventually you might realize that the messenger was wrong. but the message was right.  Talk to God and discover how to move in a better direction.

Corrections should always come in love, not hate.  We are better off when we can clearly understand the value of change.  It's never easy but if we are the recipient of criticism, step back, talk to God, and discover a better resolve.  

Ask God for the wisdom, courage, and strength to accept it.  God has designed guidelines for each of us to walk on the bettter side of life.  Sometimes that means that you have to change your path.  Accept it and reap the benefits of change.

Criticism is a negative attack on someone else and it never generates a positive result.  Turn to God to discover a better way to address your anxiety and hurtful behavior.  God will show you how.  

Isn't a conversation better than a fight?  Talk through problems and base that conversation on what God would say.  That's where you begin.

God did not design you to have a critical attitude.  That behavior diminishes as you see yourself, and others, as precious in God's sight.

Simple, or maybe not so simple for you.  Turn to God and ask him to send help, today.

Criticism transforms into emotional abuse over time.  Turn to God, first to center your belief in self.  Through Him, find a path that supports healing.

Inferiority is something we all face at times.  Long term inferiority can lead to a dangerous place.

Proverbs 4 says, Be careful how you think:  your life is shaped by your thoughts.  Lies will take you to a deeper place of infereiority.  God can help you out with the truth of His word.  He knows you.  He can help.

The greater the feeling of inferiority, the more violent the emotional confrontation. That's a quote from psychologist Alfred Adler.  God gives each of us the power to change by facing the truth.  Until we do that, the darkness of violence will grow.  It's time to have that conversation with God.  

Self-deception is a lie.  Failure to communicate the whole truth, is a lie.  We are all guilty.  God knows each of us and he also knows how to move us beyond the lie.  Trust him to do that in your life, today.