Hard Words To Hear - The One Year Father-Daughter Devotions

Hard Words to Hear

Adjectives can be wonderful. Who doesn’t want to be a brave, cheerful, dazzling, exuberant, fabulous, hilarious, joyous person? The right descriptor can make even a negative-sounding word better. Think about the word criticism. Nobody likes to be criticized. Learning about your faults and foibles isn’t fun. But when you add the word constructive in front of it, it doesn’t seem too bad.

Actually, constructive criticism can be a good thing. Proverbs 15:31 says, “If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise.” Constructive criticism isn’t negative. Sure, family members or friends might point out weaknesses or blind spots in your life, but their desire is to build you up, make you better, and give you another perspective. The best constructive criticism comes from a humble, loving heart. (See? Aren’t adjectives cool?) To properly receive criticism and benefit from it, the key is to not get defensive. And that’s not easy. When somebody points out a weakness, it’s natural to want to justify our actions and make excuses. Instead we should listen and understand the intent of the person’s advice. When we learn from criticism, we become wise.

Often, constructive criticism comes from parents and our closest friends. We also may find criticism in God’s Word that convicts our hearts and causes us to want to change. Sure, it’s a hard message to hear. But we shouldn’t automatically assume that someone is trying to hurt us when they criticize. Those critical words might be just the gift that helps make us better and molds our character closer to Christ’s.

Daddy-Daughter Time

Have you ever been hurt by someone’s criticism? Looking back, do you think that person was trying to be helpful? Get some paper and pencils. Write down a bunch of adjectives that you’d like your life to reflect. Do you need to change any habits or actions to become more like your list? Commit to only constructively criticize each other, and stay away from mean, negative words. Remember that sometimes how we say something speaks louder than our actual words. Pray that you’ll be able to give and receive constructive criticism with kindness and joy.

What’s The Word?

If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise.   Proverbs 15:31