How To Get Past Criticism

Episode SummaryThe most common place where unhealthy thoughts develop in our minds as leaders is where we allow what others (who do not know us) to define us. Jesus dealt with this……He had quite a ministry going on, was seeing some incredible success, would think everyone would be on board with the whole, “salvation of the world” thing! But things get weird (even for Jesus). Matthew 13:53-5453 When Jesus had finished telling these stories and illustrations, he left that part of the country. 54 He returned to Nazareth, his hometown. When he taught there in the synagogue, everyone was amazed and said, “Where does he get this wisdom and the power to do miracles?” At first glance in this story things seem to be going well for Jesus (and we’ve all had those seasons where things seemed to be going well. But then... Matthew 13:55-5855 Then they scoffed, “He’s just the carpenter’s son, and we know Mary, his mother, and his brothers—James, Joseph,Simon, and Judas. 56 All his sisters live right here among us. Where did he learn all these things?” 57 And they were deeply offended and refused to believe in him.Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his own family.” 58 And so he did only a few miracles there because of their unbelief.As I was reading this recently I had a “what the heck” moment? Here’s the challenging thing about what they said - there WAS some truth to it…Carpenters son - trueKnew Mary - trueKnew brothers - trueKnew sisters - trueHowever, because they “knew the truth” about Him, they were “deeply offended” and refused to believe in Him. Some people will not be able to handle who you are becoming—and the only way they can rise up is by tearing you down. Jesus paused, addressed the situation - and then moved on…and, in chapter 14 He performs two of His most famous miracles (the feeding of the 5,000 and Him walking on water.) However, if He had allowed the scoffing to suffocate His vision - these miracles may have never happened. AND—as leaders, if we pay too much time (or any time at all) paying attention to the wrong voices, I believe we can miss out on the amazing things the Lord has in store for us. So how do we deal with scoffing? S = Stop Listening To The Wrong VoicesOpinions should be weighed, not counted - everyone has a voice, but not an equal one. And, no matter what you do - there will always be someone there to point out they believe you did wrong, for example...Matthew 11:18-19 (NLT)18 For John didn’t spend his time eating and drinking, and you say, ‘He’s possessed by a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.”Each one (Jesus and John the Baptist) had a different approach - and still each of them were criticized (by people who are nameless; after all, no one has ever built a monument for a critic!) There will always be people who do not like you - and until you become secure with that you will miss out on all God has for you. And - if a leader listens to wrong voices, you will teach those you lead to do the same. When social media first became “a thing” I would read a negative comment, get obsessed with it…and then proceed to walk down the hall and show it to the people I served with, thus causing them to become angry and distracted. If we want to lead people to a healthy place - then we ourselves need to get to a healthy place as well. C = Concentrate On Your CallingJust because people do not believe in you does not mean God has changed His mind about you! One of the reasons Peter was able to accomplish so much is, despite the numerous times he failed, he kn…