The Lens I Use Before Posting Commentary
Over the past year, I’ve really leaned into developing YouTube content. I recently posted a video discussing the crisis involving the DayStar Television Network. The video garnered 15,000 views in 24 hours. It also generated tons of comments.
It is clear that this issue is on the hearts and minds of many. Some people who listened to my commentary expressed displeasure about the situation. Some made comments that seemed to suggest that they thought I didn’t understand what was happening. I wondered if some people expected me to harsher.
Here are five things I consider before posting commentary.
How would the leadership of my church react if they saw my commentary?
. I want who I am in private to be aligned with who I am in public. Similarly, I want the people who I go to church with to believe that I am the same person around them that I am in private. I often ask myself whether how I show up online is consistent with how I show up in person. I never want there to be discord or a disconnect Would how I show up here be in alignment with how I show up in my church community? Am I mirroring the grace and compassion that characterizes the leaders in my church.
I can rest in God’s promise that vengeance belongs to him.
The bible is clear that “God is not mocked. Whatsoever a man sows, he will also reap.” The bible is also clear that God said, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.” How God repays is not my business. God is also not asking me to dispense with judgement or to punish others. God doesn’t need my help. As much as I may lament over one issue or another, I take comfort in knowing that God is also fair and loving. He will not allow those who do wickedly to escape judgement.
What is the lesson in this situation for me?
Every situation offers lesson and every relationship is a teacher. When I hear about issues such as what DayStar is experiencing, I ask God what he’s trying to tell me, if anything. I ponder, ‘what is the lesson for me – not Joni Lamb, not Doug Weiss, not Suzy and not Jonathan.’ What does God want me to know and is God asking me to do anything specific.
Am I treating others the way I would want to be treated?
My commentary will be informed by whether I am being fair, honest and loving. When I make a mistake, would I want other people to treat me how treat others? No one is perfect, including me. I fail daily. If my failures were publicized, I would want grace. That is the lens with which I will offer commentary.
Does my behavior honor or displease God?
When the time comes for me to meet my maker, he won’t be concerned about my accomplishments and accolades, other than to consider how I managed what he entrusted to me. Other than that, God will see me for who I am – all my faults, failures and challenges. God will be interested not in what I’ve done for myself, but in what I’ve done for him. As such, I will strive to be careful and measured in any commentary I offer.
I will not always get it right – no human being will. But I will increasingly strive to offer grace-filled, and wise commentary and advice. I never want to be the kind of person who bludgeons people or piles on when they are done. My intention is to inspire readers and listeners of my podcasts to think and reflect on how to be a better person. I also want to give the same grace that I will one day require.
Jennifer R. Farmer, aka The PR Whisperer®, is an author, lecturer and strategic communications expert. Check out our blog posts and subscribe for updates.