“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” (Luke 6:45 NIV)
Being thin skinned, in my opinion, is being too sensitive or even over sensitive to comments, criticism, or chatter that immediately goes through some type of personal clearing house in our minds and what is said is taken as something offensive. Being a thin skinned person may not be a permanent condition or character trait, but temporarily that trait often surfaces, becomes defiant and takes charge; especially when we are hampered by fatigue, when happenings remind us of hurt from the past, when we are harassed by insecurities, and when heightened or just human, normal egos are perceived to be attacked. We all, you and me included, have to be on guard against the thin skin trait and act to keep it from assuming control over our reactions and responses. When the thin skin trait takes over, we are often moved to make reservations for future retaliation in some form or the other, and at times toward innocent parties, directly or indirectly. The think skinned trait displaces emotions, at times without provocation or a justifiable reason. After the harm is done, we eventually notice it, but that’s too late. Hopefully the damage is not irreversible and reconciliation occurs.
Many of my family members joke with me about being obsessive-compulsive about embracing the philosophy that everything has a place and that there is a place for everything. Well, I think, at least I think they are joking. My nephew had me laughing for hours when I shared with him that I had got a steal of a deal on a new black sofa, precisely perfect for my living room décor that features black, white, grey, and a touch of blue. He said, “I know ain’t nobody going to get to set on that couch.” I smiled immediately and laughed later. People can set on it! No problem! But you can’t lay on it! You cannot throw the coordinated matching pillows on the floor to make room for yourself! You cannot put your leg and foot down on the couch before your, uh let’s say, your bottom! Whoa now! I do sound obsessive-compulsive don’t I? Well, let me get back to my phone call with my thoughtful nephew who called me on my birthday. We both laughed, but I did not let the thin skinned trait take over. Oh, there are other instances where I have to work on being not being thin skinned. I’m a stickler for being on time. And at my house, it is not a competition to see how much trash you can put in the trash can without having to remove the full bag and put in another one! If the dishwasher is right next to the sink, don’t rinse off the dish or cup and set it in the sink! You might be laughing, but you know what? I’m no different than you! We all have some areas where we need to defeat the thin skinned trait that tries to take over, claim our emotional state as their own, and cover up our Christian character. As the character Ned says annoyingly in the Groundhog Day movie, “Am I right about or am I right about it?”
You may be asking, “How do we get prepared to defeat the think skinned trait. Of course I would suggest that you put on the full armor of God. But before that, just consciously and automatically call on Jesus to take over and silence the trait and maintain peace, for you and those around you! I have proof below that supports my prescription to call on the Lord; evidence that He can do it! Trust in the Lord, okay? Be blessed!
“When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.” (Mark 4:39 NLT)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King