EXPECT CRITICISM

Every one of us has been a victim of the sharp barbs of criticism. Inasmuch as criticism is inevitable, we must, in order to live happily and productively, acquire an ability to rise above it.  If a person is overly sensitive to the opinions of others, he is at the mercy of every gossiper who comes along.  It is imperative, therefore, that we learn how to cope with the adverse opinions of others.  Herein are some suggestions:

It is not possible to please everybody.   A sign is displayed in an office which states:  “To escape criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.” The greatest of our statesmen and presidents have been recipients of scathing criticism. Godly men and women have not escaped the criticism of those who love evil and hate good.  It seems that when a person climbs in achievement or maintains righteous conduct, the more disposed others are to degrade him.  Our Lord was not immune from the carping tongue of his contemporaries either.  They criticized Him because of his lowly family background, being the son of a carpenter (Matt. 13:54-57). They criticized him because he associated with sinners (Matt. 9:11).  Surely they thought, the Son of God would not taint his purity by such cavorting with the disrepute in society.  His contemporaries even criticized him for doing good because his acts of compassion violated their human traditions. (Jn. 5:1-16).  If Jesus was so treated by his contemporaries, do you think that you shall escape the criticism of your fellow men?  One essential requirement in handling criticism then, is to expect it.

Criticism may serve a useful purpose.  None of us like to be on the receiving end of criticism, but, if viewed and handled properly, it can be very useful.  Many bristle up and become so defensive they do not profit from it.  Why not face the situation honestly and ask the following questions:  Is it true?  If yes, how can I overcome the condition which precipitated it?  If no, what can I do to eliminate future criticism of the same type?  No one profits when we render evil for evil, or reviling for reviling (I Pet. 3:9).  Abraham Lincoln wisely responded when told that Stanton called him a fool:  “Stanton is a wise man.  If he said I am a fool, then I had better look into the matter.”  If all of us handled our critics thusly, we could all profit.

Forget the criticism.  This is the final step in learning how to cope with criticism. Dwelling on the uncharitable judgment of others can develop into a morbid condition destructive of mind and body.  For the sake of your inner peace and future usefulness, there comes a time when you must erase the criticism from your mind.  President Lincoln once stated:  “I do the best I know how, the very best I can.  I mean to keep on doing this, down to the very end.  If the end brings me out all wrong, then ten angels saying I had been right would make no difference.  If the end brings me out all right, then what is said against me now will not amount to anything.”

One thing is sure, the Christian should never allow himself to be impeded by the adverse opinions of others (I Cor. 4:3-4).  We could learn to more effectively cope with criticism if we would expect it, benefit from it, and forget it!

 —Selected
By Roger Johnson