You Can’t Be Thankful For That

Hi guys, there will be no More Than Puppet podcast today, but I do have a thought I want to share with you.

It’s thanksgiving here in America and every young child across our country will have some type of craft project at school that involves the silhouette of a turkey on which they write what they are thankful for. I’m sure you have been challenged this week to consider those blessings in your life and give thanks to God for them.

I would like to share what I am thankful for…I am thankful for criticism. Yep, you read it correctly. I am thankful for criticism. You might be saying to yourself “you can’t be thankful for that, it makes no sense.”

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

I’m thankful for those who will speak into my life and give me honest feedback. That honest, authentic and painful feedback helps me grow and develop. Without it I wander down pathways of mediocrity thinking I am doing well when in reality, I am not. Of course, this verse is referring to constructive criticism not destructive criticism. But it’s clear that receiving and embracing constructive criticism is key to our development as leaders and shepherds.

What about the destructive criticism? You know, the hurtful comments that people throw like darts with the sole intention of inflicting pain? Well, even that can be used to your benefit. First of all, understand that the sum of who you are is not comprised of what everyone else thinks of you. According to Ephesians 2:10, you are “God’s masterpiece.” That says it all.

Second, even if someone is intending to hurt you with their words, if we can muster the internal strength to filter their words and look for nuggets of truth, we can use what they intended for harm for our good.

So, as odd as it may sound, let’s be thankful for criticism. It creates one more step towards us being the best we can be. And that’s all God needs from us.

Happy Thanksgiving!