Handling Critics & Criticism | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

It's very interesting how everyone seems to be a critic.  Anytime anyone is DOING anything, someone ALWAYS has something to say.  We've all experienced it.  Such criticism may be directed towards one's appearance, one's past, one's performance of a task--basically, any number of things.  Truth be told, criticism hardly ever edifies and it's usually unwelcomed.  Nevertheless, it comes; and for some of us, great difficulty is encountered in the handling of our critics and their comments.  We're often offended by the words spoken and experience varying degrees of hurt depending on the nature of the relationship had with our critics.  And in the case of people like myself, the worst critic is usually the one staring back in front of a mirror near you.

The good news is that there's a profound biblical precedent for our "handling" of critcism.  For example in the Old Testament, Nehemiah didn't come down from the wall to answer his critics (Nehemiah 6:3).  He simply dismissed them, continuing to move forward in the work GOD called him to accomplish--repairing Jerusalem's torn down walls.  However, in the New Testament, I love how in his addressing of this topic, Jesus says, "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62). While it may appear out of context to use this scripture (if you consider Luke 9:61), the principle we need is right here. Picture a plowman digging a row in a field. There's a mark strategically placed at the end of the row for him to focus on to ensure the row he plows is straight. If the plowman takes his eyes off the mark, even for an extremely short period of time, the ox can get misguided and the row will become crooked. Therefore, in order for his work to be done correctly, the plowman must remain focused on the mark at the row's end and nothing else.

As Kingdom citizens, we're all ministers of reconciliation; and as we utilize our various gifts (e.g. intercession, music, teaching, etc.) in the operation of this ministry, we can not be so concerned with criticism that we look away from the mark upon which we should ALWAYS be focused.  The phrase "looking back" in Luke 9:62 is best understood as regarding or taking heed to that which is behind in both geographic proximity and time.  In other words, (1) we must choose to be so focused on our respective assignments that the critics and criticism remain outside our line of sight, and (2) we can't consider (or be distracted) by what we don't see.  Additionally, even when we're in the wrong, we must NEVER let our wrong doing distract us from our work.  As my pastor says, "When you mess, 'fess up," and I'll add to that, "keep it moving."  By all means, DON'T LOOK BACK! It's only going to get you off course and your row will be crooked.

To read the follow-up to this blog post, click here.