#367 Dealing with Reaction to Criticism Part 1
My intention had been to be of service when someone close to me made a critical comment .
I took the comment very personally and went into a reaction of irritation and anger, and my comments in return reflected that angry irritation. The person left the room. I realized immediately that I had misspoken. I prayed and found the person and we talked, and it helped to clear the air.
In praying and thinking on this experience, (and also gathering a few thoughts from a Bible Study and a Testimony meeting) the LORD helped me realize a few points in dealing with my reactions.
In regard to taking things very personally when criticized by another: “Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people”… Colossians 3:23 CSB. We cannot always please one another in how we give and serve. It helps to remember that we are ultimately doing what we do for the Lord. I can re-focus on pleasing HIM with my whole heart, open to hear anything that would make my service more pleasing to Him.
Hebrews 12:5 is a reminder to have balance in how we take reproof from the Lord. “Do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him.” This may also be applied be applied in principle in regard to how we take criticism from others: don’t regard it lightly and miss out on what we need to consider—but don’t take it overly seriously either, so that it gets in the way of going forward.
To be continued…
My intention had been to be of service when someone close to me made a critical comment .
I took the comment very personally and went into a reaction of irritation and anger, and my comments in return reflected that angry irritation. The person left the room. I realized immediately that I had misspoken. I prayed and found the person and we talked, and it helped to clear the air.
In praying and thinking on this experience, (and also gathering a few thoughts from a Bible Study and a Testimony meeting) the LORD helped me realize a few points in dealing with my reactions.
In regard to taking things very personally when criticized by another: “Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people”… Colossians 3:23 CSB. We cannot always please one another in how we give and serve. It helps to remember that we are ultimately doing what we do for the Lord. I can re-focus on pleasing HIM with my whole heart, open to hear anything that would make my service more pleasing to Him.
Hebrews 12:5 is a reminder to have balance in how we take reproof from the Lord. “Do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him.” This may also be applied be applied in principle in regard to how we take criticism from others: don’t regard it lightly and miss out on what we need to consider—but don’t take it overly seriously either, so that it gets in the way of going forward.
To be continued…
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