We all deal with rumors and criticism from time to time. Norman Vincent Peale made an interesting statement: Most of us would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism. Our ego loves to be praised and it hates to be criticized by someone. But it can be to our salvation to be able to look at criticism objectively, find any truth in it and throw away the rest. We all have to learn this skill set.

There is a lot to be learned from criticism if we are willing to learn. But the decision to do that is up to us. If we are willing to accept criticism, we can grow into a quality leader. 

In this episode, Dr. Judy Bauer shares 4 key strategies for dealing with criticism and coming out of it as a better person and a better leader. We can learn to deal with the criticism properly, and not get toxic ourselves. The higher the position you occupy, the more strictly you will be judged. It just goes with the territory. A leader is bound to be criticized both fairly and unfairly by those within the organization or department. 

A good quality leader (whether in the ministry, work or family) needs to develop a tough skin while at the same time remaining sensitive and responsive to fair and useful criticism. A leader, who becomes overly thin-skinned or defensive when criticized, is doing a disservice to the organization or themselves. To be a mature leader, you learn to accept even unfair criticism with calmness and grace because you know who you are in Christ Jesus. 

Also, rumors are going to happen, and they can spread and cause problems. How we deal with these things will show our maturity. Dr. Bauer shares 6 vital steps for handling rumors: how to glean strategies and wisdom for the future, and how establish a protocol to deal with rumors with grace, maturity and integrity. 

The three Hebrew men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, had rumors and criticism spread about them but they came out of the fiery furnace without even a smell of smoke on them. God can get glory out of these things and how we handle them, when we surrender ourselves and put our trust in the Lord Jesus that He is walking around in the fiery furnace of criticism and rumors with us. We don’t have to let the flames engulf us. We can trust the Lord. His protection is over us, and He will see us through. 

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