Don't worry about criticism

Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble. (Matthew 5:11-12 MSG)

If you have ever felt like you were under a bit of a 'persecutory attack' from someone, you might have felt like they didn't like you, your message, or your lifestyle. Something just got their dander up and they found fault with whatever it was, and you were taking the brunt of their harsh, hurtful words or deeds. Jesus told his disciples they should count themselves blessed when people put them down or even if they spoke lies in an attempt to discredit the testimony of the disciples. I don't know about you, but when others come against Jesus in me, I feel like I want to tell them even more about Jesus - even if it ticks them off!

Why do they criticize, poke fun at, or just plain resist Jesus in us? There is an element of conviction that comes when they are around us and that frightens them - sometimes a bit more than they are willing to admit. Jesus isn't happy they are acting that way toward us - he knows they are acting that way toward HIM. Truth is too close for comfort, and they cannot stand in the presence of his convicting grace without finding fault with it. We might have been in that exact place at one point, feeling like what someone said about this life with Jesus was a foolish concept to be rejected. At some point, we realized we needed his grace and this lifestyle and faith we thought was 'foolishness' was way more than we ever imagined it could be.

Jesus went on to tell his disciples: But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. (vs. 44-45 NLT) Paul reminded us that nothing can separate us from God's love or his protection (Romans 8). We need not fear when others find 'fault' with our faith - we should celebrate that they see Jesus in us! The more we attempt to 'put our faith out there', the more we will face someone's criticism. Just realize that they aren't attacking us - they are unable to accept that Jesus has something for them. Perhaps it is this unwillingness to acknowledge the grace of God that puts them on the defensive. Could it be that it is our fear that we are being rejected that puts us on the defensive?

Jesus will always be misunderstood, and his truth will always be under attack as long as Satan is alive and well on this earth. We may not like the way some reject the truth of God's grace within us, but when we keep on in our faith, 'putting it out there' for others to observe, there is always a good chance that what they see and hear will one day change the course of their lives, as well. Just sayin!