How do you handle criticism?  I know you’ve received it…at least if you have ever tried to do anything of eternal value.  An old quote of disputed origin reminds us,

“If you do not want to be criticized, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.”

Our most common reactions are either to defend ourselves or to criticize the criticizer.  Neither response accomplishes much.  Instead, we can follow a great Biblical example for handling criticism humbly and productively found in 2 Samuel 16:5-14.

When David was on the run from his rebellious son, Absalom, a man by the name of Shimei, a relative of former king Saul, met David along the way and hurled stones – both literal stones as well as verbal stones – at David.

One of David’s men offered to get rid of Shimei … permanently, but David took a unique perspective on this criticism.  One the one hand, David recognized that God possibly sent this man to curse him, and if so, David needed to heed the message and learn.  The other possibility was that Shimei criticized him wrongly, and that being the case, God would reward him for enduring the undue criticism.

When criticized, prayerfully consider the words of your critics.  Often there is a nugget of truth that you can learn in their verbal barrage.  While a critic may seek to weaken you, they actually serve to make you stronger by sending you to your Father to learn valuable lessons.

Even if there is no lesson to learn from the criticism – and that is rarely the case – God will take note of the injustice we endure, and HE will eventually make it right.  Be patient in tribulation.  Prayerfully consider any criticism you may receive.  Cling to what is good, jettison what remains.  You win either way.