Criticism is a reminder that we are making a difference with our life.  It is a vivid reinforcement to never give up.  Admittedly, few things can ease the sting.  Criticism always hurts.

One of my past teachers and an influential leader both left me great advice about handling criticism.  Each boldly and candidly discussed the inevitable with a similar statement, “Nobody likes criticism.  But criticism comes with the territory for those who spend their lives trying to accomplish something.  If you don’t want criticism then don’t do anything, don’t say anything and don’t try anything.”

These were both very accomplished individuals.  They illustrated their counsel with several poignant stories.   One told of moments in his life when he responded to the criticisms of his deathly-ill ministry leader.

When the venom flowed against the man that he worked for, respected and deeply admired, he was at a loss for words.  He had no idea what he should do.  His boss was so ill that he was bedridden and not coherent.  There was no way that he would bring the criticism to him.

He turned to a trusted mentor for advice.  Shaken by the hurtful words and severe criticism he was tempted to strike back and defend the one to whom he was intensely loyal.  But, the advice he received is advice that has proven to be so helpful to me in difficult times.

Recently, God determined that I would grow through trials.  I’m in the privileged position of ministry leadership.  Every leader is doing, trying and saying more than most.  That’s a recipe for inviting many variations of criticism.

Leaders hear it from every avenue where their efforts touch.  Criticism is a common fare.  Knowing that it has come and will come again never quite takes the pain out of it.  During recent trials criticism has been unusually abundant.

The strike back temptation has not been infrequent.  Nor has the defensive posture been absent.  But, the advice that I was given long ago served me well again on each of these occasions.  My teachers long ago taught me a valuable lesson.

These great leaders advised me that an effective approach to handling criticism is to humbly look for truth.  We will rarely like the experience, messenger, delivery or attitude.  But, if we humbly look for truth in the criticism that is leveled against us we can become better and weather the storm with grace.