Shelve them and move on

Shelve them and move on

Bible: Proverbs 15:30-33

Reading

Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise (V.31).

I remember some good advice a friend once gave me. Years before, as my friend struggled to know how to deal with criticism and praise, he felt that God was encouraging him to shelve both. What’s the main thing he took to heart? Learn what you can from criticism and accept praise.

Then shelve both and humbly move on in God’s power. Criticism and praise can both cause big reactions in us. If allowed, they can either lead to us hating ourselves and feeling useless, or thinking we’re the best thing ever. In Proverbs we read: “Good news gives health to the bones. Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise. Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding” (PROVERBS 15:30-32). If we’re on the receiving end of a telling off, let’s choose to be sharpened by it. “Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise” (V.31).

And if we’re given praise for something we’ve done well, let’s be refreshed and turn the praise towards God. As we walk with God, He can help us learn from both criticism and praise, shelve them and then move on just as He leads (V.33).

LEARN FROM BOTH PRAISE AND CRITICISM,

THEN SHELVE THEM AND MOVE ON.

Youth Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries