There are critics everywhere. Everyone will receive criticism. We can’t control that. But we can control what we do with the criticism, and how we respond to it. Joan shares an example of a boy who was criticized by his own family and went on to do great things. Don’t let criticism cripple you!
“It’s just so hard when people not only don’t support you, they criticize you – even family members.
How dysfunctional is that? They don’t understand what I do, yet, they’re critical. It’s so discouraging
…so painful…I just don’t know what to do with that, Joan.” Although my coaching client was on the
other side of the world from me, I could feel her heavy heart.
Everyone has critics. Everyone gets criticized. That truth stated, why is it so hard when we are the
recipient? Why do we care so much about what other people think, say or do? And most of all, why, at
times, do we allow it to cripple us?
In the Biblical account of David and Goliath, David had critics – including family members.
1 Samuel 17:28 says; When Eliab, David's oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned
with anger at him and asked, "Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few
sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down
only to watch the battle.
Hmmm, notice how it says “he burned with anger”. You don’t need a Doctorate degree in human
behavior to read between those lines to see the insecurity, unhappiness and bitter sting of envy Eliab
was dealing with. After all, he was older, more experienced, taller, stronger, and better looking (an all-
around better candidate) than his puny little brother, David. Who in the world, did this little shepherd
boy think he was to come to the battle field, (where the soldiers – the real manly men were) and even
suggest he could fight the Philistine Giant? Big brother was jealous of little brother, but he tried to
disguise it behind his cutting, critical tongue.
The reality is, there will always be critics. Some people choose to look at the world through a critical
lens. They’re in the habit of griping, grumbling, and complaining. Isn’t it wonderful that you have the
power to choose what lens you look through and how you will respond to them? Like David, you’ve
been empowered to slay any of life’s giants that stand between you and your destiny. Critics cannot
stop you – unless you let them. Don’t let them!
Remember, when criticized you always have two choices: Listen to it, get discouraged and give up or
refuse to listen, get determined, get up and get busy doing what you know you are meant to do. Now is
your time!
“Don’t be distracted by criticism. Remember ~ the only taste of success some people have is when they
take a bite out of you.” – Zig Ziglar