“If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.” Proverbs 15:31‭-‬32 NLT

How timely of a verse. “If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself.”  If you aren’t open to hearing opposing opinions, you only harm yourself.

I think most of us would agree that we all make mistakes. We don’t like to, but it still happens. We are human, it’s part of our condition. It is wise for both yourself and those around you, to give grace when mistakes are made. If you leave the determination of your mistakes to self discovery, it may be a very long time that you continue on in error. But if you “listen to constructive criticism you will be at home among the wise.”

When it comes to criticism my good friend Pastor Ed Kendrick has a few recommendations:

Listen to it.
Don’t overreact. 
Talk about it.
Pray about it.
Forget about it. 

Wise words for listening to correction and growing in understanding. 

This week, don’t ignore criticism, but don’t let it weigh you down either. Listen and grow. 

In His Hands, 

John