INFLUENCESample

Facing Criticism

Have you ever been made fun of before? Maybe you have been bullied or you’ve been insulted publicly. Let’s be real, it can really hurt. And maybe you wouldn’t admit that in a public setting, but you know what I’m talking about right now. As you follow Jesus, He is going to call you and ask you to do things for Him. Not everyone is going to be supportive of or accept you. In Fact, Jesus said, “the world will hate you because of Me.”  

When the world criticizes you for following Jesus, you will feel pressed by troubles, you can feel like you got knocked down; you might even feel like people are out to get you. Remember that you are never defeated by people, because your power doesn’t come from you-it comes from the God you serve. You are not responsible for how other people act, but even when wrong is done to you, you are responsible for how YOU act. YOU must remember that YOU are responsible for the call of God on your life, a calling placed on you by Jesus! Don’t let any person or demon in hell try to stop you.  

2 Corinthians chapter 4 says, “…so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.”  Our lives are to shine with His life. We have an incredible power inside of us, we have an unstoppable joy bubbling up from within, we have a limitless strength bursting out of us; all so that Jesus can be seen in our lives. We can have an incredible amount of influence toward people when we realize that its not about WHAT is inside of us, but WHO is inside of us! Being put down by people hurts. But we are never abandoned by God, we are never crushed, and we are never destroyed, because of His power at work in us!

Challenge:

1. THINK ABOUT IT! How does it feel when people criticize you?
2. REFLECT! How can the power of God at work in you shine brighter in times of criticism?
3. PRAY! Lord, help me see myself the way that You do! When people criticize me for following You, remind me that it is an opportunity for Your power to work in new ways in my life. Amen.