Harsh Remarks

In the 18 months I’ve been blogging, I’ve had hundreds of wonderful, encouraging, informative comments…and a handful of negative ones.

I’ve been blessed and inspired by the good comments, and even by a few of the negative ones.

There are typically two types of negative comments:

1. Kind and thoughtful ones (rare)
2. Unkind comments accusing me of being unkind

2 Principles...been wanting to use this photo : )

Despite the irony of the second type, I’ve still learned from a few of them by following the 2 principles below. And these principles apply to any criticism we receive in life:

1. I try to not automatically assume I'm right.* Our hearts easily deceive us and we usually think too highly of ourselves (Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 12:3).
2. I ask God for wisdom so I neither miss good correction or accept bad criticism (James 1:5; 1 Corinthians 4:3-4). This is the most difficult part and requires seeking the Lord and trusting Him, not ourselves or others. 

Have you been recently criticized? I encourage you to apply these 2 principles.

* I can get defensive at first, but I try to stop myself and think before I write. I don't do it perfectly, but I'm trying.
 

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