Comments on: Venting

By: Ronnica

Ronnica — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 16:34:10 +0000

Stacy: Very true. While there are times when we need to discuss a matter involving someone else, we can do so in a way that is respectful to them and is earnestly seeking help, not just to emotionally spew.

By: Stacy

Stacy — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 16:28:47 +0000

I think that the main problem with venting is that it often is more about making the vent-er feel better but nothing really gets accomplished. I agree that it can easily be turned into gossip, which again leads to nothing being accomplished.

I know some people who will rip another person apart verbally and then finish it off with, “Well I was just venting” or “I was just saying how I feel” and so much damage has been done to the other person that the ‘venting’ was surely wrong because of how it hurt the person.

I think that if you can’t vent without being respectful then the things are better left unsaid. The Bible says to cast all of your cares on God and I think that going to him is the best way to deal with negative emotions. He is the one who can truly help us work through our feelings. After that is the time to try to resolve the issue with the person we feel the need to vent about or to talk to a respected friend for advice on how to talk to the person you have an issue with.

By: Dddiva

Dddiva — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 01:35:55 +0000

Interesting perspective. I don’t believe in sin, either but I do think there is hurtful venting and beneficial venting- one is malicious in intent, the other just getting it out of our system so it doesn’t build up and cause us to become malicious.

By: bettyl

bettyl — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 03:55:31 +0000

Interesting post! It’s not a sin to have feelings. It’s what we do with those feelings that can be sinful.

Everybody needs to vent and I think it’s ok to vent so that we don’t blow up from holding it all in

BUT you need a trusted friend who recognizes it for what it is and forgets what s/he actually hears. Or an empty house is good since the walls can’t talk!

By: Irish Coffeehouse

Irish Coffeehouse — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:44:29 +0000

Proverbs 29:11 is all I’m going to say. ;)

By: Caity

Caity — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 22:57:00 +0000

Wow, I never thought about it that way before. I always try not to vent because I feel extremely guilty later on and I don’t like to talk badly about others. I try to channel my anger and energy in other ways like cleaning or starting a new task. If I do vent at all, I never do it on an open forum or to a coworker, stranger or someone I don’t know that well. I always vent to my very close friends and my husband. Not that it makes it okay, but at least it’s better than the alternative. Great post.

By: Rebecca is Thrilled by the Thought

Rebecca is Thrilled by the Thought — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 22:18:31 +0000

This post makes me say, “Hmmm…” Lots to think about. Lots to change.

By: floreta

floreta — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 20:59:12 +0000

interesting post. as a non-christian, i don’t believe in sin. now, that’s not to say i don’t have a sense of moral right or wrong.. it just means i don’t call that “sin” and i think it’s a silly concept to guilt people. but just my opinion.. and it’s all rhetoric. :) as far as “venting”, i think there are probably unhealthy ways to vent as well as healthy ways. what you are describing as sin is probably an example of unhealthy ways to vent. but there are healthy ways!! sometimes, when i need to just vent, i go for a long run and just meditate on these thoughts/feelings/anger. or, i punch a punching bag. things like that to ‘vent’ off my energy.

and yeah, it’s annoying when the dictionary uses the word in the definition. i see that all the time!

By: Tellie

Tellie — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 20:11:22 +0000

Awesome post! I use my blog to vent from time to time but only after I’ve shared my feelings with the other person. It really annoys me when someone is bothered by something and “vent” without expressing their feelings to the person(s) that is(are) bothering them. A lot of venting would not be necessary if things were just talked out.

By: Iva @ Horizontal Yo-Yo

Iva @ Horizontal Yo-Yo — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:06:51 +0000

I agree – often ‘venting’ turns into ‘gossiping’. The ideal scenario is to approach your offender (in private) and a have a heart to heart. If you’re too angry to approach the person respectfully, turning your eyes upwards is the best thing to do. You could go to a spiritually mature Christian, but even the most of mature of Christian is still human, and therefore, fallible. God is your much better choice.

Good stuff, Ronnica.