[Ep 71] Thermometer vs Thermostat: How Each Type Impacts The Way You Care for Others

As women, we've had this metaphor held up before us. As a thermometer, we read the temperature, as it were, of the room we're in. We can tell who is having a good day, who is having a bad day, and the general atmosphere of the room—whether we're at home with our family, at church for Bible study, or at work in a meeting. Often, we've been encouraged to be thermostats, especially in the home. Instead of reading the temperature of the room, we're supposed to "set it" by our words and actions. And in this way, we can change the atmosphere into one of peace or fun or whatever it is we feel the room needs. A recent article by Mary Carver, which I'll link to in the show notes, got me thinking about how each of these—a thermometer and a thermostat—is useful for caring for others, just in different ways. Today, I wanted to explore that idea with you. Kari   RESOURCES + BIBLE VERSES: Article: The Gift—and Superpower—of Being an Empath, by Mary Carver Article: I Set the Thermostat: How a Woman's Attitude Affects the Whole House, by Rebekah Fox "Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God…" (2 Corinthians 2:15 NLT) ______ >> Written Spiritual Direction: Recognize God's presence in your pain http://lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection >> Soul Care Group: Monthly email with soul care and spiritual formation practices http://lovedoesthat.org/soulcaregroup