Many of us like to receive encouragement.
We say, “Feed me, feed me, feed me!”
But not many of us like to receive feedback — including me.
The reason why we don’t like receiving feedback is because we don’t want to be told what’s wrong with us.
But when we are able to allow trusted people — friends who are mature and wise — who are able to call us out in our lives, then we won’t have to live foolishly.
I remember when I was quite terrible in my finances as a university student.
I would always spend like crazy. Come to the end of the week or the end of the month — and I wouldn’t have enough money to pay for certain things.
I realised that, man, this is a terrible cycle.
And I saw that it was because I didn’t have an understanding of how to steward my finances.
But I learnt very quickly: I saw a friend of mine, who was maybe older than me, who seemed to know how to manage his finances.
As iron sharpens iron, so do men sharpen one another.
Yet he was always very generous in his giving — not because he was wealthy but because I saw the way he managed his finances.
And I realised that, man, I wanna be like that.
And so, you know what I did? I had to humble myself and say, “Hey, bro, I’m so inspired by the way you steward your finances and I always see you blessing people. Can I pick your brains? Can I learn from you?”
And I think that’s one good way to seek help. As iron sharpens iron, so do men sharpen one another.
Father figures are not people who have long beards, who are old in age and so forth.
But look for spiritual mentors in people who are mature, who value the kingdom of God, who walk with character and integrity.
I’m thankful that I have father figures, covenant relationships, brothers and sisters whom I have given permission to speak into my life, to call out the spinach in my teeth, to help me remove it — so that I don’t look foolish and I don’t stumble and fall.
And even if I mess up, they’re able to carry me. They’re able to speak into my life.
And so, my question is: Who are you walking with?
