There is no way to escape criticism. If you live long enough it’s going to find its way into your life. It may be your hair, your clothes, your looks, where you go, what you do, or who you do it with. But rest assured, there is a critic out there for just about anything and everything! You simply can’t avoid it!
You can’t avoid it … but here are 5 positive ways you can respond to it.
1. Listen to it
You may not like what you hear and it may even be hurtful or make you angry. But a good idea is to take a deep breath and listen anyway. It’s amazing how much we can learn when we listen. Even if what we are listening to is uncomfortable. A person who isn’t willing to listen doesn’t learn and grow.
Proverbs 15:32 tells us that a person who listens to reproof gains intelligence.
2. Don’t Overreact
Very often our natural reaction to criticism is to strike back. But a knee-jerk reaction is never an effective move. It’s much better to respond rather than react. Bite your tongue and take some time to cool down and think a little before responding. You won’t regret it!
Proverbs 15:1 says: A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
3. Talk About It
You may want to ask a few questions to gain a better understanding of what the criticizing person means to bring more clarity to the criticism. Or, you may want to talk to some trusted friends to find out if there is validity in what was said. It can help to get perspective from people who are not emotionally involved.
Proverbs 11:14 tells us there is safety in the abundance of counselors.
4. Pray About It
If it matters to you, it matters to God. So take some time to talk to Him about how you are feeling. Ask Him to help you discern if the criticism is justified. Ask Him to help you respond in an appropriate way. And, as crazy at it seems, thank Him for the criticism and ask Him to use the experience to help you learn and grow from it!
5. Forget About It
If you’re not careful, criticism can be paralyzing. It can cause you to second guess your every move. Don’t let that happen. Listen to your critics, learn what you can from the situation, and then forget about it.
You have places to go and things to do! So get busy!
For me, praying about it is so important to the process. From compliments to criticisms, I have to take everything I hear before God and ask Him what He thinks about what has been said about me. This practice has saved me a load of heartache!
Thank you for this Biblical insight. So very important. I also like to pray for God to help me to see the person through His eyes to gain perspective and then for His wisdom and discernment.