“Over Sensitivity To Criticism”
Criticism itself is a much more corrosive and destructive act. I’m my humble experience, criticism is rarely ever constructive, and seldom meant to be. There is not a whole lot of space between ‘demeaning’ and critical.
We should most definitely avoid overreacting to criticism, but we should also avoid criticizing. Giving an opinion about how one might improve things is very different. ‘first take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly how to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye’.
I agree, and I thank you for saying so. That was just what I needed to read this evening as I'm mulling over how to best handle a problem this week. Thanks for saying exactly what I needed to hear tonight. Peace be with you.
Amen!
In my best Forest Gump voice: “My momma always done tole me to look for the cloud’s silver linins...”
I have learned to love criticism b/c if I look long enough at any of the ‘bad stuff’ I can almost always find a silver lining. It matters not how the message was sent but much much more in how the message is received - perceived even.
Way back when my kids were young [< 5yo] and I was newly divorced I began a very personal war on hypocrisy b/c I didn’t want my kids to emulate my bad traits [ nor those of my ex ]. A few battlefield victories, yet the war rages on still, but I have an inner peace, thanks to Christ, that reminds me to allow for - even to celebrate - free-will!
It is often the worst things in life which build up our faith if we keep searching for the silver linings.
I’m still far from perfect but I do know I’m much better -in countless ways - than I used to be. The bad stuff ultimately helps us break our love affairs with the material things of this world and long for the things yet unseen, the eternal glories awaiting us all in Heaven.
“Where your heart is, there your treasures will be also.”