CRITICISM

When I was in the undergraduate studies in a college, one of our assignments was to read a Greek Mythology book, called Hercules. The story was very interesting reading with a moral in it. One day, Hercules was walking down the road when he was attacked by a beast. He beat him off with his club and went his way. But when he was turning the next curve, there was the beast again. This time the beast was three times bigger than the last time. Once again Hercules tried to beat the beast off. To his surprise, Hercules found out that with his each blow, the beast grew larger and larger. Finally, Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, appeared and told him that the beast name was "Strife" and that if it was left alone it would become as small or smaller than it was before.
Criticism is like that. It is painful to take criticism especially from some one whom we never expected from criticizes you. Often our first response is to strike back when we were criticized. I know, because in the early part of my ministry my critics said such unbelievable and unsubstantiated things about me I wanted to tell them off and shut their mouth. But I remembered my English Language professor who told us, "Class, don't ever strike back, if you are in the right and has a pure conscience before God. God will vindicate you and you cannot shut down truth for ever". Through the years of my ministry, I found what he said is true.
Trust yourself to God, and He will vindicate you- if you don't strike back!

"For even to this were you called [it is inseparable from your vocation]. For Christ also suffered for you, leaving you [His personal] example, so that you should follow in His foot steps. He was guilty of no sin, neither was deceit(guile) ever found on His lips. When He was reviled and insulted. He did not revile or offer insult in return;[when] He was abused and suffered, He made no threats [of vengeance]; but He trusted[Himself and everything] to Him Who judges fairly".
1 Peter: 2.21-23. Amplified Version.

"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of mercies, and the God of all comfort. Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God". KJV.
2 Corinthians:1. 3-4.

Pastor Samuel Isaac