THE MAIN THEME: FAILING FORWARD

TITLE: DEALING WITH CRITICISM AND NEGATIVE FEEDBACK

Our bible verse for today’s devotional is: Proverbs 12:18 (NIV)
 "The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." 

Devotional:

We all face criticism at some point in life, whether it is from a friend, a teacher, a parent, or even ourselves. It can sting, feel unfair and sometimes, it can be downright discouraging. The truth is, nobody likes to hear negative feedback, especially when it feels personal or unjust. But how we handle criticism says a lot about our character, our maturity and our relationship with God.

When we read the story of Jesus, we see how He handled criticism. He was constantly criticized by the religious leaders, the crowds, and even by His own disciples. Yet, He never let it shake His identity or His purpose. Instead of lashing out in anger or allowing the criticism to define Him, Jesus remained focused on His mission and responded with wisdom and grace.

In Matthew 11:18-19, Jesus was criticized for the way He lived. He was called a “friend of sinners” and accused of being too unconventional. Yet, His response was not defensive but was with confidence in His purpose. He didn’t let their opinions steer Him away from what God had called Him to do. This is a powerful example for us when facing criticism -stay true to who you are in God, and don’t let negativity shake your confidence in Him.

Criticism can be hard to take, but it doesn’t have to destroy us. In fact, it can become a tool for growth. There are two types of criticism we might face: constructive criticism, which can help us grow and improve, and destructive criticism, which is meant to hurt or tear us down. The key is learning to discern between the two and handling them appropriately.

When someone gives us constructive feedback, even though it might sting, we can choose to view it as an opportunity to learn and grow. But when the criticism is hurtful or untrue, we must protect our hearts and choose not to let it define us. Proverbs 15:31 reminds us that “The ear that listens to life-giving rebukes will dwell among the wise.” We show we are wise when we are humble enough to accept helpful feedback, but we must also be wise enough to ignore destructive words that are meant to harm us.

To handle negative feedback do the following:

1.  Before reacting, take a moment to breathe. Responding in anger or frustration will only escalate the situation. Give yourself time to process the feedback.
2. Ask God for discernment to understand whether the criticism is helpful or harmful. Ask God to give you the strength to handle it with grace and wisdom.
3. Learn from constructive feedback and let go of unfair criticism.
4. As much as possible, respond with kindness and humility. You don’t have to defend yourself or argue back. Often, a calm and measured response is the best way to handle negativity.

Here are a few reflective questions:

1. How do I typically respond when I receive criticism?
2. Have I experienced constructive feedback that helped me grow? How did I handle it?
3. How can I remind myself of my value in God when I face negative or hurtful criticism?

Let us pray: 

God, help me to handle criticism with humility and grace. When I face negative feedback, give me the strength to stay calm and the wisdom to learn from it. Help me to remember that my identity is found in You, not in the opinions of others. Amen.

Please say these words of affirmation after me. Say them, mean them, own them, and live them:

1. I am confident in who I am in Christ, no matter what others say.
2. I choose to learn and grow from constructive feedback, not let it define me.
3. God’s opinion of me is what matters most, and I will not be shaken by negativity.
4. I respond to criticism with grace, wisdom, and a humble heart.

Enjoy your day having positive thoughts and vibes only. I’ll see y’all tomorrow.

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