Dealing with criticism...

Father, your creation declares your greatness and lovingkindness, encouraging statements of pure truth in our daily walk... We've all been "put in our place" from time-to-time, usually by those who love to lord their power over us. But then again, there are times when I've most assuredly deserved the hand I've been dealt. Tony Dungy once stated that he listens to every criticism directed his way. Sure, some are unfounded and deserve absolutely no response, while others have merit, but perhaps additional contemplation is required, and then there are those criticisms that require immediate action in order for us to achieve an improved result in a timely manner. Anyone who has ever studied the life of Jesus Christ cannot deny and to be amazed with his ability to process criticisms in real time, ignoring some, processing others, and many times, taking immediate action. Not so much for the betterment of Himself (after all, He lived a sin free life), but for the benefit of those who needed to hear the truth in ways like they've never heard before. Jesus said to the face of those self-righteous Pharisees of His day, "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." (Matthew 12:33-37) May we also speak such words of wisdom when called to do so in defense of the Gospel of Jesus Christ… Thank you, Jesus, for showing us that you are the way, the truth, and the life; THE answer for those committed to seeking the truth in all things!