Proverbs 15:5 “A fool
despiseth his fathers instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent”
So this verse is
pretty simple but…REALLY powerful as well! We all know people who have problems, but some people when
you try and help them fix those problems or tell them they have those problems
and you’re willing to help them, simply blow you off. Sometimes because it would require a drastic change in their
life, other times it may be because it would require them to humble, and that
is something that for most people (including me at times) is hard to do. Now I want to be like the guy in the
second part of the verse, who, when somebody confronts him about what he’s
doing wrong or something that they see in his life that should be changed,
listens and applies what he hears.
The bottom lines is that, if you want to be successful at anything, then
you’re going to have to take criticism, however hard it is, and use and follow
it. Now let me point out, that
WHERE the criticism comes from is important as well. For example…let’s say that you’re a photographer and you and
a friend started doing photography at the same time. If that friend start criticizing your photos and critiquing
them, some of the advice is going to be good, but most you probably don’t need
to worry about because you both started at the same time, and you both have the
same experience in it. But if
someone who works for National Geographic comes and starts critiquing your
photos, then you’re probably going to want ot listen because they have been in
photography longer than you, and have EXPERINCE in it, so there criticism and
critiques are going to be ones that you’re going to want to follow. The same thing applies to your life. If your struggling with something in
your life, then you’re not going to want to go to someone who is at the same
stage in life and ask for advice, and you’re not going to want to take advice
from a person like that either. So
when taking or getting advice/criticism, it’s important to consider the
source. Lastly, when you do get
advice/criticism form someone who is qualified to give it, apply it and use
it. Don’t just take it, and then
throw it down because it’s to hard, or to humbling. You won’t get anywhere in life if you do that. So basically, consider the source and
use and apply the constructive criticism that you receive from those who are
qualified to give it.
So true...a lot of people are too proud to listen to the criticism. Now of course how you deliver criticism is important too...sometimes people can be a little harsh with their criticism. If someone presents it with love and a desire to help the other person, then that other person is more apt to pay attention and apply it because they know it is being done to help not hurt. Another thing...too many people want to point their fingers when they have enough problems in their life. Too many times we see everyone else's problems and never pay attention to our own!! It's so true about the source...you have to be very careful who you listen to and who you take advice from. Is that criticism in the end going to help you or not? Do they really know what they are talking about? This was a really good take on this verse and so true!!! I really like the first part...one of the biggest things we all have to deal with is the pride part...we're to proud to admit that we may be wrong and that we need to work on something...if we can accept the criticism then we've passed the biggest hurdle in fixing the problem!!!
ReplyDeleteYes you're totally right!! You could do a whole nother thing on the delivery on criticism!! If it's not given right, then even though it's the best criticism ever, the person isn't going to take it because of the way that you gave it!! It really does have to be given in love. Ohhhhhh YES...very true!!!....I think the reason that some people do that - point out others problems instead of working on their own - is because they have SO many problems in their life that they feel like they have to criticize everyone else, so that other people won't look at them and see all THEIR problems!!! I really can't stress enough my point about CONSIDER THE SOURCE!!!!! It's so vital!!! I'll be honest...the pride part is one of my biggest struggles, and you're right...once you get the pride part out of the way one of the hardest parts is done!!!
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