Sunday, March 6, 2011

Ignore Criticism

"I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me." -- 1 Corinthians 3:3-4

There is one thing in life that is almost guaranteed: Someone will always criticize whatever you do. That's just how it goes. Sometimes the criticism will roll right off. Other times it will singe the spirit, leaving a scar as a permanent reminder. Either way, it does no good to worry about it.

We are all so different in our likes and dislikes, in our motivations and goals. God made us each unique and called us to our own special tasks. It is those differences that sometimes cause us to disagree over things that seem so very important at the time. Especially in families.

A friend said her family had worked it out quite simply. Her sister, who has a take-charge personality, takes care of their father. She makes sure he gets to all his doctor's appointments and does everything necessary for his care. When she isn't available or needs help, she calls my friend or their brother and tells them what to do. My friend said it's not that they don't care, it's just that they realized three siblings couldn't equally be in charge without fussing and stepping on each other. So they follow the sister's lead. Oh, they all see their father several times a week. They all take food and help around his house. But she's in charge. It seems to work well for all of them.

Another friend organizes her parents' doctors' appointments and sees to them. She resents it sometimes. Their are four children but she's the only one living right here. She wishes her siblings would come for more than just a social visit. She wants them to help, no matter how impractical it might seem. Yet, the smallest question makes her angry. A difference of opinion, mingled with stress of trying to do the right thing.

The truth is we're all just trying to do the right thing. We're muddling along, making decisions, praying that we're following God and that everything will turn out alright. We're pulled in many directions and struggling to keep up with all the demands each day brings. We're bound to make mistakes. We're bound to do things differently than someone else might. So what?

Paul was right. It doesn't matter what other people think. God knows the motivations of our hearts. He understands why we make the choices we make and why we do the things we do. He will judge us rightly and justly. All we really can do is pray, follow God as best we can, and try to shut out the critical voices that always seem to know a better way.