Finding Peace in the Face of Criticism
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
No matter what we do in life, at some point, we will all face a level of criticism. It is simply unavoidable. Whether it is a quiet word from a colleague or a sharp comment from a family member, criticism has a way of piercing our armour. It hurts. Yet, in our verse today, Paul calls us to be "patient in affliction." While we often think of affliction as physical illness or persecution, the sting of unfair judgment is a very real form of tribulation that requires spiritual endurance.
It is possible to learn how to cope with criticism and not let it affect your life. To do this, we can be grateful for the example the Apostle Paul set for us. If anyone knew about criticism, it was Paul. He was constantly having his authority questioned and his motives attacked. Yet, he had a remarkable way of handling it. He told the church in Corinth that it was a "very small thing" to be judged by them or by any human court.
How could he say that? Was he arrogant? Not at all. Paul had simply discovered a better way to live. He knew he was in God’s hands. He understood that in the end, he would stand before God and give an account of himself and his life. He realised that the only commendation that truly matters is the one that comes from the Lord. Because he was confident that God was his ultimate Judge, he was freed from the crushing need for human acceptance.
We often fall into a trap that some commentators have called the "prison of self-referentiality". We constantly measure ourselves against others, wondering if we are doing better or worse than they are. We look around for approval before we look up to God. Paul teaches us to stop this endless cycle. He said he did not even judge himself. He refused to engage in morbid introspection because he knew that his own conscience wasn't the final authority either.
You may not always do everything right, but God sees your heart. If you are attempting to live for God and looking for ways to love others, God is pleased. Jesus taught us that the greatest commandments are to love God and to love our neighbour (Matthew 22:37–40). Love is the basis for all true obedience. If your heart is set on loving God, you can have a quiet confidence.
So do not worry about the criticism of others. When we seek the glory that comes from God rather than the praise of people, we find a stable place to stand. God loves you. His love and approval are all you need. As we learn to rest in His verdict, we can face the critics of this world with patience, kindness, and a heart that is fully at peace.
Prayer:
Father God, I confess that I often fear what people think of me more than I care about what You think. Help me to cope with criticism without bitterness. Remind me that You are my Judge and my Justifier. Thank You that I am accepted in Christ. Give me a thick skin but a tender heart, that I might love others well and rest securely in Your approval alone. In Jesus' name, Amen.