Handling Criticism
“Judge nothing before the appointed time.” 1Co 4:5 NIV
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 set 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 criticizes 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 criticized 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.”
January 11, 2013 | Permalink13 Responses to Handling Criticism
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Its so amazing because today’s devotion is exactly related to what i am going through now. I just laughed when i saw the title.
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june anison says:
God help me not to judge until the appointed time
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Donna says:
Sometimes it’s okay to not listen to what other people are saying? Day 6 of fasting – I think I will pray for GOD to help show me my true value!!!
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Reveda says:
Let me see people and encounters as they truly are and not as i would have them to be. I had just prayed about this before I read this devotion. Thank you God.
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Jeanette says:
I PRAY GOD HELP US TO JUDGE NOTHING BEFORE THE TIME
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Lidiana Howard says:
LORD this is one of my weekness i confess it and ask that you will help me over come it. because i love to see things go and do well. thanks for this devotion complete what i read in the fasting edge about the quit option. this changed my point about divorce. i thank the lord when i get to finish reading this book. God continue to bless pastor jetenzen and his ministries in the diffrent areas.
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Paula says:
Wow……..this is an on time word…….Thank You God…..i am always amazed how much i hear from God when i slow down and seek Him……….
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Mercedes says:
WOW! What an amazing word. Very profound concept about the baseball team and the talent being in the crowd content with their place. Its easier to be in the crowd watching than playing the game and dealing with the criticism of on lookers!
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Tanisha Fenderson says:
This is exactly what I needed to hear!
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Michelle says:
Amen!!!!
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Israel says:
“But you should only consider the advice of a critic when: (1) you know you are valued by the one who criticizes 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.”
Is there a biblical basis for this? In the Bible, God does not at any point limit himself to any of these statutes.
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Taz says:
There is an old saying that supports rules 2 and 5. “People most criticize in others what they hate most in themselves”. Rule 5 also supports the fact that much criticism is gendered by your success in an area of failure in the other person’s life. Always consider the other person’s motives before allowing their words to be spoken into your life or take root in your heart.
And how true this is. But pray my strength in the Lord that I stay the course and continue to seek The Lord regarding the answers to my prayers, the reasons for my fasting and praying. Sometimes I can be my own worse critic. And this is something I must overcome along with the criticisms of others that don’t mean me no good. But I will………………………..Amen!!!!