criticism, good or bad?

This morning I again had to offer some criticism to one of my staff members. The young man looked totally gutted when I spoke to him. It was so very necessary to do it, yet he took it so very hard. I remember when the people I used to respect and honour would criticize me, and  how much it used to hurt. But in reality it was and still is very necessary. I have finally come to the conclusion that I am not perfect, it was a shock I tell you. But I realised that I regularly needed some older folk around me who would give me there honest assessment of where I found myself. when you give Criticism bare this in mind; Galations 6:1 says “that we who are spiritual need to correct those who are in sin, with a spirit of gentleness, so as not to give offense”…

There are 2 kinds of criticism:

(1) Unjustified criticism. One day Henry Ward Beecher went to his church to preach. As the great orator placed his Bible on the pulpit he noticed a blank sheet of paper with the word “fool” written on it. Beecher’s keen sense of humor seized the moment. He lifted the paper for all to see, then his booming voice filled the church as he announced, “Generally I receive letters from people who write and forget to sign their name. This letter is different. The person has signed his name but forgotten to write the letter.” Jesus said, “Offences will come” (Lk 17:1). So expect them. And remember, attack is a sign of respect. You’re getting noticed. You’re making a difference. So when you are criticized unjustly, forget it and move on. Jesus did!

(2) Justified criticism. Criticism that’s justified has a measure of truth in it. An old Arab proverb states, “If one person calls you a donkey, forget it. But if 5 people call you a donkey, buy a saddle.” Dr. James G. Kerr, a management psychologist, points out that a major deterrent to gaining information about ourselves lies in our natural reluctance to discover anything about ourselves that isn’t flattering. When we erect defenses against our own inadequacies and try to hide our faults from ourselves and others, we close the door to a vital source of self-knowledge and therefore deny ourselves the joy of spiritual growth. Stop hiding from the truth. Every one of us can improve what we’re doing and the way in which it’s being done. As they say, “The largest room in the world – is room for improvement!”

Find older people or even people that you respect and ask them to be brutally honest in assessing you, I know this sounds scary, but it will get you moving in the direction. We are not perfect, so lets correct what we can before we get a letter that says “fool”.