Dealing With Criticism

11-44am

Recently the whole topic of criticism has been high up in my thinking. I’ve been reading about it, I’ve been receiving it and yes, I’ve dished it out as well. How I respond to criticism is very interesting.  If it’s ugly & destructive, I get really annoyed and go into attack mode. When people describe what I’m doing as ‘childish’ or ‘a waste of time’, it’s just not constructive. It’s usually pertaining to some of the programme content on Rise and Shine. Instead of writing and saying, “I am not enjoying this or that”, the complainant peppers the comment with negative adjectives. It’s hurtful and thoughtless. They don’t endear themselves to me! So it’s very important for me to understand that most criticism is not personal. It’s best for me to step outside the situation, look at it from a better perspective and say, ‘Is there any truth to this? Should I be concerned? Is it just one or two people’s view?’ Most times, I can say, ‘there are  people who don’t like that feature, but there is place for it, because 100s of others do enjoy it.’

Some criticism is personal. I’ve heard people come right out and say, “I don’t like Helga!!” I’ve heard ‘old’! I’ve heard ‘boring.’ I’ve heard ‘fuddy duddy!’ LOL! BUT, I’ve also heard ‘inspirational’, ‘very encouraging’ and so many more positive comments.  But you do understand that getting the negative is like looking at a beautiful piece of fabric that has got a black mark on it. 99% is fabulous, it’s just a pity about the black spot. You focus in on the negative. The Rise and Shine show is 180 minutes long – if 3 minutes are not so hot, that’s 2% of the whole show, yet people zone in on it and criticize. It has to get the right perspective.

But self-doubt can creep in.  And that’s where the Bible has the answer.

Zechariah 4:6 ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.

And so I get up Monday to Friday at 3-35am and I spend an hour in prayer and Bible study, laying down my life and the Rise and Shine show and every listener that tunes in. Because God knows them. He knows the size of their bank accounts, the state of their health, He knows their needs. He knows their family troubles, their happiness or sadness, their marriage woes. He knows the number of hairs on their heads. And I just lay them before the Lord, praying that they will receive what they need through whatever is on the Rise and Shine show that day, be it in the words of a song, be it the reading of the Word. Let me be the instrument for them to keep on going. Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord Almighty. I can’t but God can. And leaving it with Him, gives me the strength to carry on. Because, in actual fact, the Rise and Shine show is not my show. It’s God’s. He must do with it what He wants.  So I try and listen to criticism and try and guard my heart as I do.  Because here’s another truth:Criticism comes with the territory! To them who are given much, much will be expected.

I’ve dished out criticism this week….probably a year’s supply!  Did I do it well? I doubt it. I try to live by Ephesians 4:2 which says, ‘Be completely humble and gentle. Be patient,  bearing with one another in love.’ I failed in that. I think what I said, had to be said & I didn’t say it for myself alone. I represented others in the saying of it. I don’t regret it. I just wish it didn’t have to have been said in the first place.

And so here we all are,  on a journey through the ups and downs and the bends and straights of life, doing the best we can, trying not to judge and just hanging onto God, because He is the only One who can truly see us through! And keep your sense of humour. Life is too short to take it all seriously.

Meantime, it is fabulous having my brother visiting for the weekend from Johannesburg.  😀 Love having him down. I also want to get my sister to visit. It’s time!

God bless you loads!

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂