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One thing that is tough for me to handle is criticism. How about you? But it is a necessary part of life if we’re to grow and learn. I’m going to talk about criticism and how to handle it—whether you’re giving it or receiving it.
As I was putting the finishing touches on one of my Bible studies, I asked several people to critique it for me. I knew that I needed input from others if I really wanted that Bible study to be as good as it could be. But frankly, I didn’t want to hear the criticisms I had solicited. And I had to fight with everything in me to keep from being defensive, as suggestions were made to improve the study.
Now, if I feel that way about solicited criticisms, you can imagine how I react to unsolicited criticisms. I can relate with Job who said, as found in the sixth chapter: “Teach me, and I will be quiet; show me where I have been wrong. How painful are honest words” (6:24).
Criticism can be either true or false, but even when we receive a true criticism, given in the right spirit, the words are honest but they are still painful. Let’s face it, our first reaction to a criticism is usually a negative reaction, right? It feels negative regardless of how it is intended. So, our first challenge is to teach ourselves how to react to criticism.
Have you been on the receiving end of some criticism lately? Maybe there’s a certain person in your life who continually criticizes you—your boss, your mother, a friend. I have to believe that your first reaction is a great deal like mine: you get defensive. It’s a normal human instinct. But when we become defensive, we usually respond in the most ineffective way.
I’ll give you some very practical ways to help you react appropriately to a criticism that comes your way, whether it was given in the right spirit or not. I have a gift I’d like to give you. We have put together a small booklet entitled “Giving and Receiving Criticism,” and it could be very helpful in learning how to understand and deal with criticism, as well as how to give it appropriately. To get your copy of this booklet, contact us through our website, or print it out from our website – or call us.