“I am doing a great work and I cannot come down.” Nehemiah 6:3 NKJV
“Don’t be critical. It hurts others while changing you, and not for the better.”
My thoughts today are about “dealing with criticism.”
Eventually, you will face criticism, some deserved and some not. Everyone does. And you won’t like it when that happens; it hurts. Criticism always means that you are doing something. Sometimes it means you are doing something that is not liked or approved by others; occasionally, it means you are doing something wrong. In those times, criticism can be your friend.
Your challenge is two-fold: learn how to handle all criticism in a positive way, and learn to distinguish between others’ opinions that are helpful, constructive criticism – and harmful words that hurt much more than your feelings, destructive criticism. But be careful, the first often feels very much like the latter, even when it is not.
Harmful criticism can change your motivation, rob you of passion for what you are doing even when it is the right thing, or make you more concerned about pleasing people than pleasing God. Read Colossians 1:10-11 NIV/1 Thessalonians 2:4-6 NLT. And don’t wrap yourself in the protective coat of not caring what others say or think. Of course, you care; you should. Just be sure what God says and thinks.
It won’t feel like it at the moment, but it is better to be the one who is criticized than to become one who is critical. Criticism that is unjust and unkind hurts but be certain of this; it eventually hurts the one who gives it more than their target. Don’t be the critical one. It hurts people; it changes you, and not for the better. Hurting people hurt people. Don’t join that crowd; you won’t be happy.
Jesus gave you a wonderful example. The Bible uses a much more hurtful word than criticism. “Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth. Who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.” 1 Peter 2:22-23 NKJV (Now read vs. 19-21). The Bible teaches that you should ” not repay evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.” But no matter how hard you try, nothing is acceptable to everyone. In those cases, “If it is possible, as far as depends on you, live at peace with everyone . . do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:17-18, 21 NIV. See also 1 Peter 3:9-12 NLT.
Here’s what I know about criticism: you can expect it, and you will be wise to evaluate it. Don’t be too quick to judge the critic before you judge the criticism. Usually, there is a seed of truth buried in the criticism that can help you more than it hurts you, and can make you wiser in the future rather than defensive. A critic can be used by God to help you examine your motives and methods a little more closely now, and in the future.
Nehemiah withstood continuing criticism by knowing that he was obeying God. He was “doing a great work,” and would not let the critics nor their criticism distract his efforts. Don’t let your critics “get you down.” Nehemiah 6:1-9 NKJV.
My prayer for you today is that you listen and learn, while you let God keep your heart.