When Criticism Works
Excerpt from 2 Corinthians 7: 2-12
“For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation and brings no regret, but worldly grief produces death.”
Reflection by Lillian Daniel
Have you ever received a harsh criticism that later you considered to be a gift? At the time, you may have argued against the criticism. Perhaps you even lashed out at the one delivering the bad news. But later, after you had time to think about it, you realized you had been told something you needed to hear.
In a previous letter, Paul had said what needed to be said to the Corinthians. Once he named it, they realized they had done something wrong and they felt bad about it. That’s godly grief. It’s a temporary sadness that leads to better behavior in the future.
Some people don’t want to feel any pain. They shut down all criticism and “protect” themselves. But what exactly are they protecting themselves from? By refusing to feel any godly grief, they shut out the possibility of forgiveness and new life.
Other people sit around criticizing themselves, day in and day out. Every little thing becomes a cause for anxiety. They worry constantly that they are not measuring up, competing against imaginary enemies and impossible standards. This strikes me as the worldly grief Paul talks about, which leads only to the death of our hope and happiness.
Sometimes we have to go through a little godly grief to arrive at God’s calling for us.
And sometimes we have to shake loose from the worldly grief that takes us nowhere.
Prayer
God, help me to know the difference. Amen.
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