Constructive Criticism

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When I was younger, I resisted anyone who tried to help me by bringing attention to my mistakes.   Accepting this type of help has been a lifelong process.  Another way to describe this is accepting Constructive Criticism. 

 I have asked myself many times, how could anything be constructive when it is accompanied by criticism?  But it is.  
I have a keen eye for seeing things that are wrong...with other peoples work...but not so much my own.  Accepting the advice of another can be difficult when looking at our mistakes, but when we do, we are the better for it.

Now that I am older, I think I know what made me resist Constructive Criticism when I was younger.  It was pride.   

In 2 Kings 5, there is a story of a great military commander, Naaman, who was dying from leprosy.  Things seemed hopeless for this prestigious man.  One of his servants recommended he go see the prophet Elisha.  But when Elisha, a poor prophet did not rise to Naaman's expectations the scripture says this, ...Naaman became angry and left.  In this Bible story, Naaman says this, “I thought he would at least come out of his house, stand somewhere, call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the infected place, and heal the skin disease."

Naaman eventually listened to his servant's counsel and followed Elisha's directions to bathe 7-times in the river.  Naaman set his pride aside.  If he hadn't, he would have bypassed the miracle that God had for him. 

I wonder how many times in my life, I've resisted the Constructive Criticism of the Lord.  How many times have I walked away in anger and missed my miracle?   

 How about you?  Are you in a battle with pride over the Constructive Criticism of another?  Are you about to walk away in anger and miss your miracle?  

Next time you are tempted to resist instruction, remember the story of Naaman and also what Proverbs 19:20 says.  Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That you may be wise in your latter days. 

Now that's some Constructive Criticism we all could use.


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