Dealing With Criticismনমুনা

My personal rule is that if I take their advice, then I should also be willing to take their criticism.

There are people who are successful, effective, wise, and godly. They usually will not attack publicly when attempting to point out a flaw. Instead, they reach out and correct privately. If it is from someone whom I have taken advice from before, then God may be using them to protect me through their correction.

Considering the source is important because the enemy can send people on assignment to distract, destroy, and defame. Be careful to discern and consider the source of criticism that comes against you and do not blindly take it from every single person who corrects you privately.

Another thing I would add is to never argue with somebody who has already decided you are wrong.

Some people have already made up their minds about you, and nothing you do will ever change their minds. Learn to value your time and not go down rabbit holes.

And lastly, if you don't want criticism, don't let compliments inflate you.

I remember someone once said things behind my back, and those comments were brought to my attention and affected me so much that I couldn't sleep. The following Sunday, I got on my knees and asked the Lord to take those feelings away. I felt the Lord challenge me and say, “You preached a really good sermon last week and got inflated thinking you were better than you actually are. This year when people attack you, you are feeling worse than you actually are.” He said, “You're not as good as the compliments that come your way and you're not as bad as the criticism that comes your way. You're somewhere in the middle." He said, “In order for you to not let criticism affect you terribly, you have to stop swinging to the other extreme when you get complimented."

God wants our hearts to stay pure in our service to Him. Our identity should be rooted only in what He says about us.

Let's Pray:

God, I want You, Your will, and Your ways to be my focus. Lord, humble me and remind me often that it is Your grace and mercy that has me here. May I never forget that I serve the living God who is worthy of all honor and glory.