The Burning Sting of Criticism

Proverbs 10:21 (NKJV) The lips of the righteous feed many, But fools die for lack of wisdom.

Criticism always burns. Whether it’s veiled under ‘constructive’ or not, the sting of criticism can often last long beyond the life of the words.

Theodore Roosevelt, often the target of stinging criticisms once spoke, “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually try to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”

The good news is that Jesus can bandage and heal those wounds! So if you’re in that place today where criticism has breached your spiritual armor, turn to Jesus for that comfort and confirmation of your relationship in Him.

By Grace,
Pastor Ed


Response
I would really like to thank Calvary Chapel for going out over the air waves because it brought me to you. It showed me the word of God so that I could fall madly in love with it once again. But when I heard you on the radio it just hit me, I want someone to speak to me directly out of God's word not just some eloquent speech they prepared. I want to see what I am learning and know that it is from the word of God. It really helps me to rightly divide what I am hearing by the word of God. I am so thankful that God has brought Calvary Chapel in to my life to help me grow in the word of God. I have been going through a lot lately but every time I tune in to listen to a sermon or show up on Sunday or Wednesday or listen online it just serves to encourage me in God's word and show me something new. I am not saying it is all good because God has been using this time to really grow me, it has hurt but in the long run shown me that God is the true God in my life and no matter what happens he is still on the thrown watching over us all.

I thank you so much for listening to God and sharing on what he tells you, and showing me where to find the principles and steps in the word of God to change my life forever, I pray that I never loose that. Thank you.