CHAPTER 44: CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM 2022
Two words that shouldn’t fit together especially in my experience. I’ve never heard that phrase for anything good. Quite the opposite as a tool to hurt me and others in the name of some altruistic nonsense of goodness, which is a lie as I’ve witnessed the practice of sharing “constructive criticism.”
We all need direction. As owners and fiduciaries we also know chaos certainly follows when we do not choose correctly or your choice is not popular. However, when you’re the boss lack of support and tough decisions are a part of the job.
We’ve all learned the lesson of doing the exact wrong thing, losing valuable monies, time and opportunity. How does that happen? Listening to the wrong people, generally. Listening to feelings will get you in trouble as well, instead of yielding to your God given responsibility and getting to it.
This lesson is not about fiduciary duty of doing the list. Nope, today it’s about protecting the list. Or is it? Maybe it’s about protecting you, so the list can be done, one more day, all of it, correctly as planned.
What could possibly get in the way? One thing for sure is Constructive Criticism, if you give it Creedence, if you listen to it. There will always be people who want to hurt you, are jealous of you, envious of your success, they want you to doubt yourself or fail in front of all the world.
Part of my fiduciary duty, learning, knowledge is “how to handle constructive criticism. There is nothing constructive about it. It’s trashing people in the name of all things good. It’s the same as when people tell me, “God told me to do this or that.” I gotta be careful with that phrase for sure. God directs me through scripture, His Word, circumstances, prayer, if I got voices in my head, best I get on my knees right away. Constructive Criticism is without solution, construction solution is something that should be used.
Pay no attention to undermining myths, character assassination and interruptions of all that is sacred and good, again, all in the name of goodness. “Chaos-breeding-conversation” that, if engaged, will ultimately lead to decisions based on emotional anxiety and that’s just the beginning. Beware of Constructive Criticism and those that bring it with them. This next scripture is a rough one, for sure, but very important to this Chapter.
Titus 1:10-16 English Standard Version (ESV)
10 For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party.[a] 11 They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. 12 One of the Cretans,[b] a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”[c] 13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. 15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
Titus 3:10 ESV / 8 helpful votes
As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him,
2 Timothy 3:5 ESV / 8 helpful votes
Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
Remember what these people say? “Hey, I guess you can’t handle a little Constructive Criticism?” I call, “foul, bad, ugly, no good!” Constructive and criticism leaves out solution, love, compassion, all for one, one for all, gratitude, creativity, and oh, yes, the big one. Where’s God in this dynamic? I have seen it break people’s hearts. That’s not God. I’ve felt my own heart break, disenchanted, my ideas robbed from my heart, stomped on by the likes of what might as well be a sidewalk thief. That’s not God. I was young, not strong enough to stand with God and do what needs to be done no matter what the constructive criticizer would say, in the power of the Holy Spirit and the brilliance of creativity the Lord has given me.
Too late. By the time I realized this lesson, how many set-backs had I allowed?
I’ve seen only tragedy come from such lip service.
Surrounded by the flames of jealousy, the jealous one winds up, like the scorpion, turning the poisoned sting against himself. Friedrich Nietzsche
The spirit of envy can destroy; it can never build. Margaret Thatcher
The worst part of success is trying to find someone who is happy for you. Bette Midler
Give me the lesson, Pat! How to handle it! The answer? I’ll tell you! Solutions and support. Taking an idea to the fullest. Be discerning, cut the weasels out of the pack! Work a single concept to fruition! Bring together the right people! People who want the idea to succeed, an attitude of helping.
Walk away from resistance, underminers, jealousy, impudence, petty and the worst, belligerent outright viciousness.
Work with people, lead-teach and inspire those around you. Risk relationships for the power of correct. Listen to people who have concerns and work out the issues and challenges in the grace of God and for the glory of Him who presides over us all.
Ecclesiastes 5:2-3
Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in Heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. For a dream comes with much business, and a fool’s voice with many words.
Discernment with those who are around you. Remember the lesson, “the power of two?” You, them and God. Go back and look it up, pick your team wisely and with prayer. By the grace of God, let knowledge and wisdom prevail!!
Chapter 44 outlines Constructive Criticism and those people who would, given the opportunity, crush you, just to be the one that shoots the hero. I say the following scripture to those who would deliver the poison arrow of Constructive Criticism…
Romans 14:12
Yes, each of us will give a person account to God. So let’s stop condemning each other.
Live in such a way that you will not cause another to stumble and fall.
Be an example of good order and Faith to those Criticizers who call themselves helpful.
In closing I say, dream big, share with Him in prayer and watch what happens. Stay away from fools and their big mouths and unsettling schemes, be creative, be correct and do not use God as an excuse to do anything that isn’t good and pleasing.
Deuteronomy 28 English Standard Version (ESV)
Blessings for Obedience
28 “And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. 2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God.
Beware: Chapter 44 Constructive Criticism. It is here to “kill, steal and destroy.” Don’t let a bully steal your destiny from you. Keep close to the Lord in your endeavors, my friends. Amen, Amen..
