Responding to Criticism

Saturday, June 22, 2019

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king? Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.”

Nehemiah 2:19–20

We should never be surprised when doing something right creates a backlash. While it would be nice if people recognized we were trying to build something for God and supported us, often it raises criticism and opposition instead. We continually fight against the world, the flesh, and the devil, but sometimes we also have to face hostility from those who should be on our side. Motion always creates friction. Elbert Hubbard put it this way: “Do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing, and you’ll never be criticized.”

If we are going to do what God calls us to do, we are going to face criticism. It is not the criticism but our response to it that determines the outcome. Nehemiah faced this when he began the massive rebuilding project to raise up the walls around Jerusalem. Rather than allowing his critics to deter him, Nehemiah turned to God. In faith he stepped out, believing that what he was doing was what God had called him to do—and that God would make the work prosper no matter who opposed it.

While there are sometimes legitimate criticisms that we should evaluate (and we should never be too proud to listen), most of the negative things said when we are doing right come from detractors with the wrong motives. Rather than allowing those to dictate our actions, we should simply move ahead with what God has called us to do. Only then will we be able to fulfill His calling.

Today's Growth Principle: 

The more we are criticized by others, the more we should turn to God for strength and help.