| Original Date: January 13, 2010 |
| Email Subject: Handling Criticism |
Dear Friends,
One of the hardest things to handle for us as Christ followers is "Personal Criticism" when it comes from someone other than the person we look at in the mirror each day (that's even harder don't you think?). How you and I handle this criticism is of utmost importance for our personal growth.
Often the criticism comes from people who just are out to attack us and really don't do it in love, that really hurts! How do you handle it? Sometimes this criticism comes from those you know who care for you and they do it in love but what they are saying has no factual basis to it whatsoever. That really hurts as well. How do you handle this? Then there is the kind of criticism that comes from those who do care for us and it is factual. That hurts as well but made easier by having truth in it (it's hard admitting when were wrong). How do we handle this then?
I have some guiding principles that have helped me over the years face and handle criticism of all kinds. The natural response is to attack them right back with words like, "well you might feel this way about me, let me tell you how I feel about you, or what I know about you, or you think I am bad let me tell you what I know about you." I don't think that is the best way to handle criticism and I know you don't either.
Here are those guidelines that have helped me handle criticism:
-When the criticism is true, no matter who it comes from, learn from it, thank them for sharing it with you and not going to anyone else, and then get it dealt with in your life. If you need to seek someone's forgiveness for what you have done, do it and don't procrastinate.
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-When the criticism is not true, still thank them for coming to you and not sharing this with others,(unfortunately most of the time they have already talked to others which in and of itself is sad but, that's another devotional thought) then turn away and commit what they have said to the Lord no matter how much it might have hurt and go on with life setting your hearts desire on honoring Christ with your life and testimony.
-In 1 Peter 2:23 Peter gives us this truth about our Lord Jesus Christ that is such a guide for us in dealing with this subject of "Handling Criticism." "And while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;" Jesus truly set the model for our life in handling criticism, revilement and personal attacks. God is my ultimate judge and so I want to pass all that comes my way through His truth. When He shows me from His truth that what is being said is true for me, then I want to handle it well for His glory.
Have a great day my friend and I do wish I could promise you that there would be no criticism that comes your way, but I can't. I can only share that these simple guidelines have helped me for many years grow in His grace and knowledge striving to honor Him with the life He has entrusted me.
Your friend,
Pastor Doug |
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