In my best Forest Gump voice: “My momma always done tole me to look for the cloud’s silver linins...”
I have learned to love criticism b/c if I look long enough at any of the ‘bad stuff’ I can almost always find a silver lining. It matters not how the message was sent but much much more in how the message is received - perceived even.
Way back when my kids were young [< 5yo] and I was newly divorced I began a very personal war on hypocrisy b/c I didn’t want my kids to emulate my bad traits [ nor those of my ex ]. A few battlefield victories, yet the war rages on still, but I have an inner peace, thanks to Christ, that reminds me to allow for - even to celebrate - free-will!
It is often the worst things in life which build up our faith if we keep searching for the silver linings.
I’m still far from perfect but I do know I’m much better -in countless ways - than I used to be. The bad stuff ultimately helps us break our love affairs with the material things of this world and long for the things yet unseen, the eternal glories awaiting us all in Heaven.
“Where your heart is, there your treasures will be also.”
And it’s also why I love the true saints here on FreeRepublic - iron sharpens iron
“The bad stuff ultimately helps us break our love affairs with the material things of this world and long for the things yet unseen, the eternal glories awaiting us all in Heaven.”
I absolutely agree with that statement, and that sentiment, but I think there is something else to point out here that is very important. People can be extremely selfish and hurtful, and some will try to destroy you. Most of us here can likely attest to this personally. It is very important not to let these people push you away from your own spirituality, but in a more secular sense it is also very important not to let these people steal your worldly happiness.
There is a difference between being serene and comforted by your spirituality and being truly joyful in the moment because you are genuinely happy in your life. I truly believe that God wants you to have both most of the time, and didn’t intend for us to live our lives as doormats for those who would hurt us without remorse or empathy.
I’m reminded of “And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.”. To God we are all ‘little ones’, and when people are destructive in their criticism and have no compunction about stealing your joy, trying to diminish you, and shaking your confidence in yourself and who you are, they are in a big way stealing your joy that you could be spreading to others.
Criticism is often wielded like a dagger, with similar intent.