Never let criticism define who you become. If you choose to try to make a difference in the world, you will be criticized.
People who have no desire to do what you are doing will criticize you because they would have done it another way.
I believe jealousy is at the root of criticism.
It seems easier to criticize another than to take a good, hard look at ourselves to determine where we fall short. But no matter what another person says or does, never allow them to rob you of your joy and break your spirit.
But the answer comes from inside, not by actions you take against them on the outside.
If criticism is mistaken or mean-spirited, rise above it. Maintain the high ground when you’re under fire. No victory is worth winning at the expense of picking up the mud that has been slung at you and slinging it back. -Rubel Shelly-
Most of the action movies of today are based around a plot of revenge. One person does something horrible to another, and the rest of the movie is spent plotting how to make them pay for what they have done.
We see so much of this in everyday life that most people think revenge is the correct response when they have been wrongly treated.
This thinking is totally opposite of how the Bible tells the Believer in Christ to handle a wrongdoing.
Romans 12: 17-21
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
The only way you can walk in the truth of the verses above is to surrender yourself to God. You must find out about His Character before you can maintain the high ground when you are under fire.
God is concerned about you always having His Very Best in whatever you do. He wants you to let him take care of any revenge that is necessary. He knows that if you take it upon yourself, it will eventually devour you.
God knows that giving criticism back can lead to anger, hate, and revenge. When these control you, your life will be nothing but misery.
God wants you to have the best life possible. This is why you should never let criticism define who you will become.
I have spent hours and even days sometimes fuming over something another person has said about or physically done to me. I got so consumed with it that I could not think of anything else for a time.
The longer you let that attitude go, the harder it is to get back to where God wants you to be.
Satan is always happy to feed your mind night and day with a continuous loop of thoughts about how badly you have been treated.
When you continue for weeks and months in this way, you totally lose your peace and joy. Life is no longer good because you start to look at everything in a negative, critical way.
When criticism happens, make the choice immediately that you won’t sling mud back at the person.
Give the situation to God, and do not let yourself take it back. Keep your mind, thoughts, and actions pure and holy. You will be amazed at how God will work things out on your part.
You cannot change the other person, but you can surely change how you respond to anything that is thrown at you.
This does not always mean that you can never stand up for yourself to the other person. It just means that you refuse to let your flesh take control and bring yourself down to their level.
Sometimes God will open the door for you to respond, and sometimes He won’t. Whichever way He chooses, you know that you have given Him complete control of the situation.
Your heart is clean, and now you can go forward with God no matter what happens with the other person.
You truly can make the choice to never let criticism define who you become.
Make the choice to respond the biblical way. You will live a longer, healthier, and more peaceful life!
