Criticism

GOD WHO KNOWS ALL THINGS, being criticized is not a pleasant experience. In my discomfort, I’m thankful it’s safe to talk with you about my feelings. You know what’s happened and understand the situation much better than I do.

Sometimes, I’m not quick to identify my feelings or be honest about them—with myself, with others, or with you. I need your help in sorting things out, God. Other times, I lurch from one extreme to another. One minute I beat myself up over what another person said about me, and the next minute I feel like hurling a barb right back.

Father, please calm me. May I think carefully about the criticism that’s come my way, since there’s often some truth I can glean from it. You teach us in the book of Proverbs that people who stubbornly refuse to accept criticism will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery. I don’t want that to happen. Nor do I want to wallow in anger and self-pity, because it’s very difficult to climb out of those pits once I’ve jumped in.

Father, please help me work through this experience in a healthy way, knowing that you are with me, you are eager to help me grow, and you will strengthen me.