Let a righteous man strike me – it is a kindness; let him rebuke me – it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it. Psalm 141:5
How do you take criticism, whether good or bad? Do you receive it, believing perhaps the person giving it to you has a point, or do you blow it off, walk away and not give it another thought? I used to do the latter. My pride was too heavy to listen to what others had to say. Then God tipped my boat over until I was at the point of drowning, begging for someone to help me. I was ready to listen.
The Message says, May the Just One set me straight, may the Kind One correct me.
Being corrected or rebuked is a kindness. Of course nobody really likes to be rebuked, but if spoken correctly, is for your benefit. David gives three ways to accept criticism:
- Don’t refuse it (Keep an open mind).
- Remember it’s a kindness (If someone you love is correcting you, they are doing it out of love).
- Shh. (Don’t fight back – yes I know this is the hardest one).
Here’s what I have learned about fighting back, thinking I have to defend myself, or just spouting off words because I didn’t want to humble myself and accept the kindness: the more I open the door of my lips, taking the guard off my mouth, the stupider I look. Either way I wind up the fool.
Just something to consider next time correction comes your way.