No matter how hard I try, God of
patience and support, someone finds
fault with me. I am mortified about
the latest criticism. I can't decide
whether to run away in shame or storm
back and defend my actions, for I
thought I was right.
Criticism hurts most when coupled
with ridicule, and i feel like less of
a person for the tone in which I was
addressed. Give me the courage to
confront this, Lord, for it is not
acceptable to be treated this way
even when in error. Keep me calm,
factual, and open; perhaps the
tone was unintentional, the critic
unaware of the power of shaming.
Help me remember how I feel now
the next time I find fault with
someone. As I've learned firsthand
with you the zillions of times I
messed up, there are better ways to
confront mistakes than with stinging
criticisms that divide and demean.
Truth be known, Lord, such abrasive
manners say more about the criticizer
than the criticized.
Keep me from passing on these
hurtful words.
