Criticism should lead to examination

Some of the hardest lessons come from criticism, which may be precisely what is needed to get to the next level in your life.

Bruce (not his real name) had a brilliant future. He excelled in computer technologies well beyond his years. Before graduating high school he was offered several full scholarships to universities of science and technologies. Everything about his future looked bright.

Bruce had one major flaw -- he was right, and he knew it. When it seems as if you're right all of the time, it's difficult -- no, impossible -- to accept that anyone else might be right.

Bruce was in constant conflict with those around him. After all, when you are always right, others must be always wrong. He rejected his parents' guidance and his school counselor's advice, and he pursued what he wanted when he wanted it.

Graduation came and went. He accepted a scholarship but quickly lost it when he insisted that his professors didn't know what they were doing. He quickly spiraled into a series of bad decisions with long-term consequences that at the time seemed right. In his eyes, he had never before been wrong, so why would he be now?

Before he knew it, his brilliant future was gone. Insisting he was right as his life was falling apart, he drove a wedge between himself and his family.

Rejecting criticism from those who loved him the most, Bruce traded his hopes for drudgery and placed his dreams on the shelf of "maybe, one day."

Proverbs 29:1 reads, "Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery."

Criticism is never easy to listen to and often harder do accept. When it originates from those who see more in you than you do, and care more for you than you realize, then it can be one of the greatest tools in your life.

The source of criticism is the greatest indicator of its legitimacy. Is criticism coming from someone who is concerned about you or from someone who just enjoys criticizing? Pay attention to the first, and ignore the second. Yet, even criticism from the second source must be filtered through the question, "Is there any legitimacy to what they say?"

Criticism, legitimate and not, should cause pause to examine and reinforce what is most important. Ignoring criticism by never opening yourself to examination will bring your own destruction, putting your dreams on the shelf of "one day, maybe."

Robert Hurtgen is a husband, father, minister and writer. Read more of him at robhurtgen.wordpress.com.