Have you ever been given feedback about your character, or something you need to change in your life? Did you receive it well? Did you respond appropriately?

Some people are known for not being able to take criticism. When someone gives them feedback or constructive criticism, they brush it off and never change. This is a major obstacle to our spiritual growth! As servants and children of God, we must remain teachable.

We need to learn how to receive criticism not destructive criticism, but the kind from which we can draw something good. It will help us tremendously. The greatest leaders know how to accept criticism. They’ve learned that no one becomes a great leader without knowing how to receive criticism and regularly self-reflect.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Can people easily give me feedback, or do I always take it badly when someone says something to me?
• Am I attentive and ready to change when someone points something out, or do I reject criticism because I think I’ve already reached the top?

Doesn’t the Bible say:

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.“ — 2 Timothy 3:16–17

God’s Word is useful for correcting us, to make us capable of accomplishing the works God has prepared for us. Learning how to take criticism is a real challenge in many people’s lives. This can last for years or even an entire lifetime if we’re not careful. It’s like someone looking in a mirror and forgetting their natural face right after: someone can give them feedback, but they pay no attention, and so they don’t grow. Often, people come up with all kinds of excuses not to change, because change has a cost.

Change isn’t always easy for the flesh. Read each of these verses slowly:

“Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.” — Proverbs 10:17
“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.” — Proverbs 12:1
“Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.” — Proverbs 13:18
“Whoever ignores discipline despises themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.” — Proverbs 15:32

Today, I want to convince you of this principle through the Word of God! If accepting constructive feedback is a challenge for you, I hope you’ll make the decision today to change that. And you can! Learn to listen to what others say about your character, your work, etc. Pray for God to correct you where you need correction.

How good is the Lord’s correction! It teaches us His ways.

“A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.” — John 16:21

When we receive criticism, it may feel at first like “a bad moment.” Maybe you’ve been called in by your boss or your pastor, for example—and at the time, it wasn’t pleasant. But if you know how to see criticism as a beautiful opportunity to change, grow, and be perfected in Christ, you’ll realize that something good will be birthed out of that unpleasant moment for your flesh.

“They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” — Hebrews 12:10–11

Correction (or discipline) is never pleasant for the flesh, but it is beneficial. Some people know how to take feedback well. That doesn’t mean we should let people speak to us in just any way or accept all kinds of negative remarks, but we must remain open to change. Right now, decide what your attitude will be if someone gives you feedback today or tomorrow. Will you get angry? Will you feel sad, miserable, and hurt? No!

Declare with me today:
“I choose to have a teachable attitude, because I want to become better and I’m ready to be corrected! It’s for my own good. I will take what is good, and I won’t dwell on what is bad. I won’t meditate on the negative, but on the good. I want to grow, I’m ready to change! Amen!”

This text is an excerpt from the book “365 DAYS AT THE MASTER’S FEET“, written by several French-speaking authors, with Jérémy Sourdril as the lead author.

We invite you to read the next article: “DO YOU KNOW HOW TO RECEIVE CRITICISM? (Part 2)”.