When Criticism comes....

In a earlier blog post I wrote how when having anxiety people have certain expectations of you and where you should be. Well, everyday I read a daily devotional and these two devotionals really helped.

June 9th
                     Do What God Expects
Thus says the Lord of host: Do not listen to the word of  the (false) prophets who prophesy to you. They teach you vanity and fill you with vain hopes; they speak a vision of their own minds and not from the mouth of the Lord. Jeremiah 23:16


Don't let the people around you determine your values  or behavior patterns. It seems that everyone expects something a little different but one thing  for sure is that all these people expect us to keep them happy and give them what they want.
 
Many times the expectations people put on us and we accept are unrealistic. If you want to have confidence, you must stop trying to be "superwoman" Realize you have limitations and that you cannot keep all the people happy all the time.

This is one of the amazing traits we see in Jesus. He was the same all the time. He changed people they did not change Him

When unhappy people are unsuccessful in making you unhappy they begin to respect and admire you. They see that your Christianity is something real. Even people who seek to control you will disrespect you if you allow them to  have power over you. I encourage you to be your own person. Do what God expects you to do and don't live under tyranny of other people's expectations


Prayer:
  Lord, I can't possibly fulfill everyone else's expectations and demands. Help me to clearly see Your values and live according to them. Keep me free from others who want control. Amen.


June 11th

         When Criticism Comes

But it matters very little to me that I should be put on trial by you and that you or any other human tribunal should investigate and question and cross question me. I do not even put myself on trial and judge myself... it is the Lord who examines and judges me. 1 Corinthians 4: 3-4

No matter what you do in life you will be criticized by someone. so you must learn to cope with it and not let it bother you. Criticism is very difficult for most of us, and a person's self image can be damaged at all by criticism. Every great manor woman has had  to learn how to cope with criticism. we must know our won hearts and not allow others to judge us.


The apostle Paul experienced criticism about many things. People love you when you are doing everything they want you to do and are quick to criticize when just one little thing goes wrong. Paul said that he was not in the least bit concerned about the judgments of others. He said that he did not even judge himself he knew he was in God's hands. and that he would stand before God and give an account of himself and his life. We should only be concerned with  God's judgment not others'.

Prayer: Lord, when criticism comes, help me to remember that You are my only true judge. Rather than let it harm me, I  bring it to you and  it in your hands. Amen....



It says in the bible in Matthew 5:44
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;