The critic only lives if we let them live. Not the critic that is helpful and has your best interest at heart. I mean the spiteful one. the petty one. the one who said those things way back when. Maybe the one that just lives in your own head. That time is passed and the only voice that critic has in your life is yours.
I wonder how today would be different. I wonder how your next decision would change if you refused to give the critic words. The critic is a tricky companion because all critics are not created equally. Just because someone is critical doesn't automatically mean you should ignore them. But it also doesn't automatically mean they are right.
We can learn a lot from critic, correction, critical thinking and direction. But the trouble comes when we allow all critical voices to weigh the same amount. When it comes to making decisions and learning to trust God instead of our heart. We have to be careful who we allow in.
It's not necessary or healthy to have people always agree with you. The critic to most seriously consider is the one coming from those who believe in you. If someone who believes in you and your work is pointing out a weakness or trying to make things better, its helpful to consider their words with humility and grace. Resist the urge to close yourself off from them.
But if the critic not only disagrees but also doesn't believe in you, their words have less meaning. Like that stranger on the internet, the off hand opinion your brothers, girlfriends, sisters, roommate has of your Instagram post. The angry customer who just refuses to be satisfied. These are the ones who have the least right to influence your life. But somehow for some reason they end up getting the most power. how do I know? because right now as you are reading this I'm sure you can remember a particular critic voice in your mind and you remember their words exactly.
So what's your next right thing in this moment? it's time to call it truths. We aren't going to change their minds. Instead....lets change ours. Stop giving that critic words. Stop handing them the microphone. Take their seat from the table and put it out in the hall.
Jesus knows what it means to be questioned, challenged, humiliated and critiqued. Not once did he allow his negative critic to change one decision he made on earth. He was busy doing his father's business.
The critic points out my weakness and my fear but if I pay attention, they will also point out something else. A gift I would never dare to ask for and a motivation they never mean to give. The gift the critic brings whether we like it or not is a line in the sand. When the critic says words, we have to decide if we believe them. We have to decide who gets to say. The voice of the critic forces us to face our biggest fears and it turn, listen hard for the voice of God.
So I can worry or I can work. I can get stuck or I can move on. I can get defensive or I can be free.
Instead of giving the critic words. Here are some new words to consider: I believe nothing can separate me from the love of God.
If you have a decision to make to today, don't give your critic words. Be still, get quiet. Listen for God's voice and do the next right thing.
