I get feedback letters from Words for the Day most every day, I’ve received many positive but plenty of negative letters too, particularly when I write something controversial. Some of them are extreme and I’ve received stacks of threatening letters including a few that were death threats. So, I’ve reached a point where I’m not surprised by most anything people say.
So, the other day a reader wrote and made the following comment:
“I’m not sure if you get, or read if someone responds to your daily messages, but here is my feedback: you use the word “Ugh!” a lot in your Words for the Day . . . and it is just one of those words that are an instant turn off to anything else you may have written that’s helpful in the daily battle of the enemy. I was on my way to Hell when Jesus pulled me out like a “brand plucked from the fire” A friend shared you with me that she thought I would enjoy your messages and she was right! Being disabled with a head injury really limits my daily life-long love of reading – so I hope you will reconsider and perhaps there’s another word you enjoy using that can convey your extreme distaste in the subject being discussed . . . if not, I will just grin and bear it 🙂 – God bless you brother! Keep the faith, and I appreciate you for sharing it and “encouraging the brethren!””
I wrote her back:
“LOL – Now that’s a new one. In 19 years, people have chastised me for the occasional “damn,” or whatever, but never for “ugh.” I really don’t see the harm in the expression but will consider your request. Thanks for sharing . . . And I just prayed for your medical condition that the Lord Jesus will heal you.” In Christ – Bob
So, it didn’t end there. She wrote me back last night and said:
Wow! I’m impressed and actually shocked that you read my email . . . and even responded! I can relate a lot to your life stories . . . In the larger picture of things though Mr. Williamson, please just disregard my feedback . . . You are comfortable with the expression and I’m a big girl -takes a whole lot more to offend me than a 3-letter word . . . and the last thing I would want is to change who you are to suit me. I find myself embarrassed that of all the things you have shared to help believers, I chose a silly word to comment with feedback! Thanks so much for the prayers, and for being sensitive to even considering what I said; however, now I hope I haven’t made you self-conscious in your “Words for the Day” delivery. Besides reading my friend Carol’s Prince of Peace Facebook encouragements, right now you are the only other Christian that the Lord is using to encourage me to keep my eyes on Jesus and to know He loves me with your plain-spoken emails, rather than the tragedies (ugh!*). Just know this, you’ve shown that you have a tender heart . . . it’s no wonder the Lord has chosen to work through you to show Himself to people. God bless! *P.S. I had to use that word, it was the only one that fit LOL!
Funny that I’ve won a convert to using the word ugh . . . LOL . . . She need not worry that saying ugh is a sin. The dictionary defines “ugh” as an expression that demonstrates disgust. Merriam’s dictionary offers this example: “Ugh, this oven desperately needs to be cleaned.” Much of what goes on in this world disgusts me, so I have used the expression quite often. I once had a guy vigorously take me to task for saying “Geez.” He said it was derogatory to Jesus and was a slang expression for it. I said I always thought of it as a contraction for “Gee whiz.”
So, I might angrily react and say: Ugh, there are big problems in the world. Geez – Chill – be calm – breathe!
Okay, say I’m within my rights in making the previous statement, and saying those words is indeed totally harmless and not a sin, but my brother or sister thinks it is a bad thing, and it becomes a real stumbling block to them. What have I accomplished with my ministry that is supposed to uplift others by stubbornly sticking with what I know to be true? Romans 15:1 states: We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. This is not to say we should appease anyone and everyone and play to itching ears, but it is to say if we can bend and accommodate at times over trivial issues, we will be happier, and God will bless them and us more. And that my friends is a worthy thing.
2 Cor. 6:4
We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no one can discredit our ministry.