13 May 2009

I'm my own worst critic. I don't need others ...

How do you handle criticism? You know what I am talking about ... the kind that is disguised as encouragement or instruction and comes from "that guy" you don't have relationship with.  Not the constructive kind either ...

I was "encouraged" this past weekend over something I did (or didn't do well enough in this person's perspective) over two weeks ago.  What the heck?  Isn't there a statute of limitations on criticism?  I usually consider the source and move on ... which is exactly what I did.  

It's amazing how words stick with us.  For some reason this instance has latched on to me. Yeah I know I just said I moved on but hear me out.   I am confident in who God's made me to be (how I am wired) and my abilities ... which makes me wonder what is at the heart of the matter - for me - and why it still stings.

I am doing good, really I am.  I gotten some good insight from trusted people in my life.  For me, it just makes me want to guard myself from being "that guy" and make sure I am encouraging the heck out of people.  

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT):  11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

So ... How do you generally handle criticism? 
A. Consider the source and move forward  B. Anger / Defensiveness  C.  Throws me for a spin