July 6

Written by Bill Grandi on July 6th, 2021

Have you ever used or heard used the phrase: “He/she got a taste of their own medicine”? When that is used it’s not meant as a compliment. It is meant to be translated: “He/she got what they gave someone else.”

For example: judging. Often times we judge others with a much harsher eye than we do ourselves. But when we judge we need to be careful because very often it’ll come back on us. Like a monsoon or tidal wave. Matthew 7:1-5 is a perfect example of that.

But I want to look at it another way. Back on June 23rd I wrote a devotion about self-talk, i.e. what we say to ourselves about ourselves. I got a taste of my own medicine this past Saturday.

First, the backstory. Awhile back I wrote about taking my bike to the shop and getting the news that my frame was cracked. Not good. So since Trek is good for their word, I got a new frame free. Very good. The bike shop rebuilt my bike with some old and new components. One of them was a new cable. Over time a cable will stretch and needs adjusted. Usually around 100-200 miles. I’m past that and since I live over an hour away from the bike shop I thought I’d try to do it myself. My gears were slipping and making all kinds of chatter as well as shifting when they weren’t supposed to.

Two words describe my efforts: Epic. fail.

I watched a video. I had a voice call with the mechanic and I still couldn’t get it right. I was frustrated. Then the self-talk started. “Incompetent.” “Failure.” “Loser.” “Why can’t I use my hands like others?” I was able to get it somewhat right but not all the way. I will be taking it to a shop to get it right.

I defeated myself by putting myself down. Calling myself names.

Fortunately, that is not who I am in Christ. I am not incompetent; a failure; or a loser. Maybe I am unable to use my hands like others can, but in Christ I am His. And He has put His stamp of approval on me and given me something far greater than being able to repair a bike.  He calls me His.

“Father, thank you for the reassurance that Your thoughts about me are not dependent on what I can or cannot do.”

P.S. While I wasn’t able to get a complete adjustment, I found out I did okay on some of it. So I guess I wasn’t a total doofus. 🙂

 

6 Comments so far ↓

  1. Glynn says:

    I’ve never trusted by bike mechanics ability except on changing a flat (and usually only if it’s the front tire).

    • Bill Grandi says:

      Unfortunately, my ability is slight at best. The ones where I normally go are good but talking me through it didn’t work. 🙂

  2. Ryan S. says:

    I struggled with the same thing on one of my kids mountain bikes this past week. No matter how much I tweaked or adjusted the front derailleur, I could not get it to shift smoothly. I might get it to go up smooth, but then, it wouldn’t come down smooth or vice versa… Finally, I got it in the middle gear, and it didn’t chatter, grind, or attempt to shift on its own under pressure… So now we have a 7 speed instead of a 21 speed 🙂 At least for now.

    Isn’t that like life. The minute we think we have things working and moving the right way, a little kink in the chain or to much one way or the other and we get off the rail.

    It’s easy to beat ourselves up when that happens. It is easy to allow the “self-talk” to kick in and push us into a pit.

    We all have our gifts, we all have our areas we can shine. We also have the areas where we don’t… I think it keeps me humble a bit. Knowing I can’t do everything and there are areas I need to ask for help.

    • Bill Grandi says:

      I know that is true Ryan. I guess I have a little jealousy kick in when I can’t do what I wish I could. But I do know who I am in Christ and need to humble myself to ask for help. Hope you get that 21 speed working again!! If not, I’ll race you. 🙂 🙂

  3. Yes, that negative self talk never ends well, Bill. Glad you caught yourself doing it and stopped to remind yourself that God loves you just the way you are.
    Blessings!