I intentionally use the word Journey because I recently heard a statement that really caught my attention. It was…
IF YOU DO NOT TAKE THE CREDIT FOR THE GLORY YOU SHOULD NOT TAKE THE CREDIT FOR THE CRITICISM EITHER.
I used this image because most of my journey has been as a worship leader. I have in the past related to this young man more than I should. I believe that I am in the process of getting away from that. The above statement really made me think when I heard it. What it means is this: The Lord said that he is the vine and we are the branches, and apart from him we can do nothing. When the Lord works through us, it is him and not us doing the work. When the Lord does a work through us it is extremely important that we give him the credit for doing what he did and not absorb the praise as if we are the ones who did it. In the same way we should not take personally the criticism that will come from what God did through us. It was God, not us, so they are not attacking us but what God did through us. If he cannot trust us with criticism he cannot trust us with the praise either. If I know I am following his directions and the backlash comes, I know I can separate that from myself and not take it personally. If the criticism comes because I messed up in some way it is then my job to take accountability for it and make it right. That was something I did. I should apologize, repent, make restitution and forgive myself for messing up.
REALIZING JESUS FACED CRITICISM AS WELL
Jesus was perfect and never did anything wrong, and yet was criticized and mistreated, and is still being criticized all around the world up to this very moment. If Jesus being perfect and doing everything right faced criticism and mistreatment it is not reasonable for us to think we can avoid it. If we are in any type of leadership or just human and breathing it is going to come. We tend to act like something crazy and unexpected is happening when people attack us and talk gossip about us with all kinds of things that are complete lies. The more the Lord increases our influence the more that is going to happen. I know of one minister who has had more than seven whole novel sized books written about them, written with the whole purpose to discredit them, full of complete lies.
WE CANNOT STOP CRITICISM FROM COMING BUT WE CAN DETERMINE OUR RESPONSE TO IT
Our response to criticism will determine whether it will wound us and cripple our progress or whether it will propel us forward and bring promotion. The thing not to do is have a sad pity party for ourselves and go and gossip about all the people who are gossiping about us and get other people on our side against them. Is it OK for them to do that to us? No, it is not OK because there is always a consequence for sin. I have spoken out of turn about people and paid dearly for it. Our response however will determine how it comes out for us. In my position I get talked about all the time in negative ways. It would be unreasonable to think that it won’t happen. It’s just part of the journey, just like a pastor or worship leader gets criticized all the time. “They always pick the wrong songs, He should play old songs, he should play new songs, he doesn’t live at home the way he portraits himself on stage, the way he sings mocks God and grieves the Holy Spirit, I’ll bet him and his wife fight at home” and on and on and on.
RESPONDING WITH LOVE
When we hear about someone talking bad about us, do we go in return and talk about them to make them look bad? This is just a form of retaliation. Or do we turn to the Lord and pray for them, pray God’s best for them. It is one of the bigger tests of maturity. It cuts off a lot of inroads for things people do and say to hurt us. If the Lord sees that we will not lash out in return for the abuse he will then promote us so that we will be able to minister to more people. How we treat the people around us is always a perpetual test to see how much he can increase our circle of influence. Why would the Lord give us more people to wound and maim? But when he knows that our heart is to bless others he will put us in areas where we can reach out to more people and new opportunities.
RECOGNIZING TRUTH
Are we humble enough to recognize truth and correction even when it comes through criticism? We can also recognize and honor the one offering the criticism. We can acknowledge that the person is taking a risk in an act of courage in trying to stand up for the truth against you. It is not always the case that a person is trying to be harmful in their criticism. It’s important to recognize an individuals efforts even if they are wrong.
TRUSTING IN GOD’S JUSTICE
Jesus himself was promoted to the highest place for what he suffered. He was completely innocent of any wrongs, but was not left in that place. In the same way when we are accused of doing wrong when we are innocent, and we respond in love, and do what is right, the Lord will promote us every time. It may not happen right away, but it will come.
