THE WORD FOR TODAY
TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY
HANDLING CRITICISM
‘…Judge nothing before the appointed time…’
1 Corinthians 4:5
Someone
once quipped, ‘Every baseball team could use someone who knows how to
play every position, never strikes out, and never makes an error. The
only problem is; it’s hard to make him put down his hotdog and come out
of the spectator stands!’ All of us need the advice and input of others.
But you should only consider the advice of a critic when: 1) You know
you are valued by the one who criticises you. 2) The criticism is not
tainted by his or her personal agenda. 3) The person is not naturally
critical of everything. 4) The person will continue giving support after
giving advice. 5) He or she has knowledge and success in the area of
the criticism. What really hurts is the criticism of people who are
important to you. It’s hard to have your dream criticised by those you
admire, love and respect. But if you want to achieve your dream, you’ll
have to learn how to pay that price too. On the other hand, Stacy
Allison, the first American woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest,
points out that there are times in your life when it’s okay not
to listen to what other people are saying. ‘If I’d listened to other
people I wouldn’t have climbed Mount Everest.’ If you have a God-given
promise and purpose, and if your heart is right, then disregard
unjustified criticism and stand on this Scripture: ‘Judge nothing before
the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light
what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts.
At that time each will receive his praise from God.’
2 Kings 10-12, Matthew 23:29 - Matthew 24:2, Psalm 135 , Proverbs 7:21-23
