The Successful And Happy Person Is The One Who Can Lay A Firm Foundation For Future Success With The Bricks That His Critics Have Tossed At Him!
What does Jesus promise will happen to us if we are peacemakers in a world at war? Pure in heart while surrounded by corruption? Merciful in a world without pity? Meek while everyone else looks out for number one?
We have seen that our reward is persecution. Now Jesus expounds on this theme, broadening it to include the far more common everyday experience of criticism. If we are going to be happy in an unhappy world, it’s vital that we learn both how to respond to criticism redemptively and also how to avoid being bearers of negative criticism.
The Critic
There are three ways to avoid criticism: say nothing, do nothing and be nothing. The person who is never criticized is probably not breathing.
It never works to say anything good to a person infected with a critical spirit. Wish them a nice day and they snap back, “Don’t tell me what kind of day to have!”
The critic has no dreams. He just rehearses defeats. He never sees opportunities, just obstacles. He knows no delight, no joy and no peace. He looks to find fault in other people as though it were buried treasure. He’s convinced others have all the advantages, and he has only disadvantages.
Learning From Our Critics
Not everyone who criticizes us is demented, deranged or demonized. Our critics are often right.
If we’re not mature enough to take criticism, we’re not mature enough to handle praise.
Source: Being Happy In An Unhappy World
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