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Handling Criticism - Part 4

"Nazareth! Can anything good come from there'" Nathanael asked. "Come and see," said Philip.
John 1:46

Let's take one final look at handling criticism. (1) Don't just see if there's a critic, see if there's a crowd. Mrs. Smith invited a well-known pianist to entertain at her dinner party. When it was over, everyone praised his performance except one lady. "I thought he was lousy," she said. Immediately the hostess intervened: "Pay no attention to her. She doesn't know what she's talking about. She only repeats what she hears everybody else say." See if your critic has a cheering section; if they do, you may need to make some changes. George Bernard Shaw, the Irish playwright, certainly had his critics, but he knew how to handle them. After one opening night, a critic stood up and shouted, 'It's rotten!' To which Shaw replied, "I agree, but what are we against so many" (2) Wait for time to prove them wrong. Time is your best ally. It forces deception to the surface and allows the truth to prove you right. When Nathanael asked concerning Jesus, "Nazareth! Can anything good come from there" . Philip answered, "Come and see." Often, as events unfold, the cause of the criticism will be eliminated and you'll be vindicated. No other politician in history had worse things said about him than Lincoln. The day after he delivered the Gettysburg Address, The Chicago Times called it, "Silly, flat, dish-watery utterances." Today millions flock to The Lincoln Memorial, but not a soul remembers the editor who wrote those scathing words.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, Help me to be more thick-skinned when others criticize me - like you were. In Jesus' Name, Amen