Read Proverbs 27:5–6, 9

Looking for a manual on how to handle criticism? It would be worth your while to check out the book of Nehemiah. When Nehemiah heard that his hometown, Jerusalem, was in ruins, he was heartbroken. Nehemiah requested permission from the king to travel to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall. The story describes how on several occasions the great-hearted statesman faced open criticism, false accusations, and gross misunderstanding. In spite of those obstacles, he kept his cool...he stayed in the race...he considered the source...he refused to get discouraged...he went to God in prayer...he kept building the wall (see Nehemiah 2:19–20; 4:1–5).

Whenever you undertake an unusually challenging task that requires others to change, critics will come out of the woodwork. But there are times when a word of criticism can be a helpful factor in our spiritual growth.

Consider the words of Solomon on the matter:

An open rebuke is better than hidden love! Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy....
The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense. (Proverbs 27:5–6, 9)

Friendship is not threatened but strengthened by honest criticism, and the same can be said for our spiritual character. But—when you are criticized by one who hardly knows you, or someone threatened by God’s vision for your life, filter out what is wisdom, then ignore all the rest! I call it “selective listening.” Nehemiah did that when he rebuilt the wall around Jerusalem...and God’s vision for his life came to pass. It is not worth spending your time and energy fretting over a stranger’s critiques.

Devotional content taken from Good Morning, Lord...Can We Talk? by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 2018. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries. All rights reserved.

The full devotional can be purchased at https://www.tyndale.com/p/good-morning-lord-can-we-talk/9781414380681.