“We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment.”
– 1 Corinthians 4:12,13
Yesterday, we talked about being resilient. Today, I want to expound on that thought further and share with you that criticism is part of achievement. If you’re achieving anything, prepare to be betrayed, offended and slandered. It will happen, and it’s a natural part of leading and influencing others; in short, it’s training. Criticism is training — a temporary opportunity for a permanent gift. This is why Sam Chand said, “your ability to lead is equal to your tolerance for pain.” Leading is bleeding. When you lead, people are going to hurt and attack you, but it’s only going to make you stronger. When I became the senior pastor of a little church, I started dealing with a fair share of criticism, but nothing could have prepared me for the attacks against me and my family that came with going on television. When me & Hannah started doing Hour of Power, there were a variety of criticisms from different sources, and one website in particular that was dedicated to just gossiping and slandering our family. When this started, I remember thinking, man, this is crazy. The stuff they’re posting doesn’t even make sense. It bothered me for a long time, until I clearly heard the Lord say to me, “it’s training.” You want to do great things with your life? Prepare to be lied about, gossiped about and put down. Your ability to lead is equal to your tolerance for pain. You can’t sit around being offended all day or being worried about what people say about you. God has given you things to do, so you need to get them done. Move forward today, and I promise, you’re going to do great! |
Prayer
Jesus, thank you for using criticism and pain to mold me into the person you created me to be. I receive your grace to see the criticism of others as training.
Reflection
Do you recall a time when you were slandered or criticized harshly? How might that experience have strengthened your walk with God and your leadership skills?
4 Responses
Very appreciative of the message yesterday. Spoke to Bobby after 2nd. Half his age..so much more to forgive!! Time for some soaking in Gods presence…and bring heaven to earth!! Bless ya!
He’s half my age…lol..
Wrong…Bobby’s half my age…lol..
Yes , I do when I was criticizied harshly & slandered way back when I was going to high school & college for that the words that myself very deeply for I prayed & fasted that GOD guided me to forgive them & show then the Love of GOD which strengthened my walk with the LORD and serving leadership skills and leading worship at my church!