We’ll all face criticism at some point. Sometimes we might have to deal with harsh, unfair criticism, but often it’ll be constructive criticism designed to help us improve. Whatever type it is, it’s still difficult to hear. But we need to be prepared for it and to take it on board if it’s justified. Our attitude to criticism is what separates people who say they want success from those who are prepared to pay the price for it. For example, if we want a higher paid job, we need to think about whether we’re ready yet to handle the extra responsibility and pressure that usually comes with a higher salary. Maybe we want to have a leadership role in our church, but we need to consider if we’re prepared to handle the scrutiny and criticism that leaders often have to face. Sometimes we’re in love with the idea of success, but we haven’t counted the actual cost of succeeding. Often we want something because it looks good in someone else’s life. But God in His wisdom knows that right now it would hurt us because we’re not mature enough to handle it. God tests us with what we have now, in order to develop our consistency and strength. He observes how we handle the pressures that accompany the blessings He’s already given us. He wants to bring us to the place where we’re resistant to difficulties; where we’ve learned to appreciate the Giver more than His gifts. When we reach that point, we’ll hear Him say, ‘You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ (v.23 NIV). Those words will make everything we’ve been through worthwhile.

What Now?

What marker of success are you longing for? Ask God to help you understand the price of that success, and what you’d need to give up or take on to get there. Ask Him to help you put your ideas of success into perspective.