One of the things that I have never enjoyed is when someone criticizes me for something I have done. My initial tendency is to defend myself when that happens. When I look at the life of Jesus, He submitted to the very people that put Him to death. The Pharisees and Sadducees were continually criticizing just about everything He did. They loved to try and find fault but Jesus always had the perfect response or else he kept quiet. As I am learning to embrace everything that happens in my life as an opportunity to patiently and quietly look to the Lord for guidance, it is making even those times of criticism easier for me to handle. One of the best things I can do in those situations is follow Jesus’ example and not say anything at all unless He gives me something to say. I thank God for guiding me when I look to Him for help.
“He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.”
Isaiah 53:7
“Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, ‘Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?’ But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.”
Mark 14:60-61