“Criticism is something we can avoid easily by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.” ~ Aristotle

If you are going to do anything of significance in this life you WILL face opposition. You cannot step out into greatness without there being grouches. In fact, the higher you go the more critics there are. And in a day of social media addiction, there are more critics speaking than ever before. People are removing their filters as they hide behind a computer screen saying things to people they would have never said in person. We can’t change how people criticize us, but we can ALWAYS change how we respond to it. You see, the issue is not that there are critics, the issue is we don’t handle critics well. Our ego gets in the way and causes us to react in a highly emotional state of insecurity. The greater our reaction, the greater our insecurity. It’s not what people say to us, it’s how we respond to what they say to us. If not careful we can sabotage our influence. There is nothing that will knock you off the road to success faster than a critic who you allow to ruffle you. You surrender your stability when you give in to critics. The goal of life is not to keep from having critics, it’s to keep from being swayed by them.

Here are some tips on how to respond to extreme criticism…

1) Chill The Hell Out

Don’t be offended…you literally need to get the hellish attitude eradicated out of your response. Too many times we react with ungodly behaviors in retaliation to people’s criticism. We lash out in vengeance and defense rather than forgiveness and humility. You only get a one time opportunity to respond correctly, don’t blow it. The enemy wants you to well up with anger, hatred, bitterness, and a host of other damaging behaviors. It does no good to give in to these destructive temptations. You cannot allow yourself to lose your call to reflect the nature of Christ. Think about Jesus…He had every right to lash out at His haters, but He chose to walk in love and forgiveness. We are called to emulate Christ in all we do.

2) Respond With Grace

When critics are critiquing you need to walk in grace. You may not agree with them, you may even be wrongfully critiqued, but that doesn’t make it ok to respond dishonorably. Dale Carnegie said, “Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain but it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving.” Responding with grace is what strong people do. It takes more maturity to walk in humility than it does to walk in pride.

Colossians 4:6 (NIV)

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

3) Keep Moving Forward

“Just keep swimming…just keep swimming…” Heed the advice from Dory…keep going. Don’t allow toxic criticism to stop you. Critics are in our life to keep us from our destiny. Don’t allow them to steal your momentum. The enemy would love for nothing more than to eliminate you from moving forward in your calling. The moment you allow your critics to derail you is the moment you’ll delay divine opportunities. The secret to success is outlasting your critics.

1 Timothy 6:12 (NIV)

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

You have to fight to keep yourself moving forward especially when there are those around you who are criticizing your every move. Make sure you surround yourself with those who support you and support what God is doing in you. Stop listening to your critics and start listening to the coaches in your life. If you don’t have any coaches (pastors, leaders, mentors, encouraging friends, etc…) then you NEED to get some. Don’t go through the journey alone.