DEALING WITH CRITICS - Who do the people say I am?

“Don’t judge me if you don’t know me!” Johnny says assertively.

“What do you really think you are doing? What do you intend to achieve with this kind of life you are living?” Dad replies with a more dominating tone.

“You have lived your life; kindly allow me to live mine.”

“Johnny you are talking to your dad; not your younger sister.” Mum interrupts.

“I am no longer a kid!” he screams with his hand in the air.

“If you are going to quit your job for some confused child like vision that is obsessing your mind, you may as well consider…”

You can imagine the rest of the story. But does that describe the situation you are in any way? Are you on that lonely road where you know you are right but every one else thinks you are wrong? Are you battling to keep your concentration as critics criticize you and your idea that you are so passionate about? Or maybe you are about to lose your mind?

Wait! You are not alone. People are going through this right now, and some in history went through it. Let’s learn from our best example.

JESUS CRITICIZED

          But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub

          The chief of the devils. Luke 11:15

         

Jesus was called Beelzebub. He was called a liar and a blasphemer. They saw him as an ambitious man; bringing in his own religion contrary to the doctrine of Moses. And much more. He was continuously misunderstood. But how did he handle it, going through to fulfill his purpose?

·        Jesus had a deep and thorough understanding of who he was, having found out through fellowship with the Holy Spirit and studying the laws and the prophets.

·        Jesus had patiently nurtured the vision of being the savior of the world in his heart until he was ready for it at the age of 30.

·        He anticipated that there will be critics and therefore became ready for them by dealing with them patiently. He knew when to respond and when to sneak away from the crowd.

Now back to you, the great visionary. The bible says that whatsoever is done without faith is sin. And one of the attribute of faith is that it is fully persuaded. Have you been fully persuaded of who you are and how true is the vision in your heart? Arrogance is a demonstration of ignorance, just as peace is a function of righteousness. From the above story excerpt, we can see the arrogance of Johnny. When the vision is so built in you, you’ll have boldness to be calm because nothing can be done against the truth but for the truth.

          Also, you must understand your critics. Some are confused admirers, who love your idea and what you are doing but hate to admit it because they can’t seem to do it themselves. Some critics on the other hand, are people who love you and want the best for you, but think you are on the wrong track because they don’t see the big picture that drives you.

          I myself have always been criticized and misjudged. And in my early years as a Christian (born again) with a vision from God, I stumbled due to fear and became very arrogant with everyone that thinks I have a confused vision like Johnny. Of course this resulted to more troubles, but thank God for wisdom that came as I grew more.

          As a Christian that is having a rub-off from the spirit of God and is poised to do mighty things for God’s kingdom, you must understand that you will be criticized greatly. Ask any Man of God. Listen to Jesus’ advice;

         

It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord.

If they called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more then shall they call them of his household?

Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.

          By that principle of Mathew 10:25, you are not exempted from being criticized, being a purposeful Christian. Jesus encouraged us in the next verse, to be bold through this understanding, that the truth (your vision) will not be hid for ever. Soon you will smile at your critics saying “I told you!” As a visionary Christian, you are the future. So refuse to be bordered about your critics; the ‘future’ is just mysterious to them. So cheer up and ride on!