In Touch - Oct. 18, 2006
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- Published Oct 17, 2006
In Touch Daily Devotional
by Dr. Charles Stanley
No one likes personal criticism. Sometimes it seems as though we go out of our way to help and encourage other people, only to be met with a harsh word or accusation. All too often, when that happens, our protective shields immediately go up — we don’t want to hear any more about it. But what do we do with the remark that has already been said? What is our normal, human response to criticism?
First, we might respond by repressing the matter. That is, we acknowledge there is a problem but don’t want to do anything about it. In such cases, we may answer, “Thank you for sharing your feelings. I understand what you are saying.” Yet in truth, we may not understand. We might feel grievously hurt by the comment but do not want to deal with the hardship of exploring the matter further.
Second, we may respond by suppressing the conflict. We might act as if nothing ever happened, completely ignoring the situation to the extent that we actually become unaware that anything is wrong. Far from being a cure, this only delays and exaggerates our eventual reaction to the problem.
Third, we might respond by blaming someone else. We can be quick to point the finger at others, while denying any personal responsibility in the matter at all.
Selfish tendencies serve only to alienate us further from those who have challenged us in the first place. True, a word of criticism can hurt, but there may be something within the remark that is worth examining. Are you strong enough to face criticism with humility and godly confidence?
FEATURED RESOURCE
from Dr. Charles Stanley
God’s ways are always perfect, and following them leads to fulfillment and success. One of life’s undeniable truths is that your choices will ultimately determine your future. While you can decide for yourself what career field to enter or who to marry, nothing compares with seeking God first and relying on the wonderful principles of His Word. In this series, Dr. Stanley teaches that as you serve God and seek His ways, you’ll be blessed with peace, wisdom, and guidance for the journey ahead. Order here now!
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