7 Principles for Handling Criticism like a CHAMP! Part 2

Continuing our list from last week! 

He says, "Women shouldn't be pastors!" She says, "I see you're concerned."

5)      Don’t lose your focus of your mission just because people say unkind things about you.

People who have a heart for people tend to take criticism personally.  You often remember one criticism over 50 compliments.  Don’t overthink it.

Interestingly enough, I have learned from experience that no one operates in a vacuum.  The saying is true: “Hurt people, hurt people.”  Often I have found that behind every critic, there are other factors playing into their response that has nothing to do with you personally.  Maybe they are going through a hard time at home, or perhaps something about you reminds them of a past hurt; thus, they are really projecting their problems onto you.  Sure, some people may be straight up jerks, but learn to see the good behind every critic.  No matter how nasty they may be, Jesus died to save them too, right?

6)      Learn when to let criticism slide.

Like one cool little video blog says,

“Most successful people are too busy creating things in the world and actually living their lives to harshly criticize and judge you.  The majority of the time, the people who are your harshest critics are creative cowards.  They are bystanders on the sidelines of life who risk nothing and create nothing.  It’s easy to attack and destroy an act of creation. It’s a lot more difficult to perform one.”

How do you do this?  For example, you don't have to respond to every email or comment directed your way online. Another way to let criticism slide is, if you get a nasty letter from an “anonymous concerned individual,” throw that mess away.  If they are anonymous in sending you criticism, they don’t deserve the right to be heard if they are not willing to put a face on their complaint.  Also, if the person that you are hearing criticism from is always critical of everything and everyone, let it go.  That person probably just needs a hug (or a swift kick in the pants).

Besides, are you really going to let people’s opinions have that much power over you? Remember, you will be criticized since even Jesus got criticized form others. Yeah, Jesus…so, if he couldn’t get out of it... neither will you.  But if he could manage to get through it, you can too (as a side note, Jesus rarely defended himself in the face of criticism.  He often kept silent and/or let his work do the talking).

7)      You are not defined by your critics or your success, but by your identity as a child of God.

This actually cuts both ways.  The comments from haters should have little bearing on you as you try to fulfill your mission to change the world.  On the other hand, you may have a moderate to great amount of success with the work that you do (and your ability to rise above criticism).  However, don’t think that any success makes you better than the rest of the world, in the same way that criticism makes you think of yourself as less than everyone else.  Don't be tempted to think of yourself as God's gift to the world.

It goes back to Romans 12: “Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.”  Follow these principles and you will be on your way to living out God’s calling in your life! 

Care to share any other tips that have helped you handle critcism?  Leave your thoughts in the comments below!