Beyond the Defense
"Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning." — Proverbs 9:9
When someone points out a flaw or offers criticism, our first move is usually to go on the defense. We start building a case for why they’re wrong or why they are the problem. But what if that criticism—even if it’s delivered poorly—is a gift? To be "rooted" means you are secure enough in who you are that you don't have to be perfect. Real strength isn't found in never making a mistake; it’s found in the humility to say, "Wait, let me look at that." When we shut down, we lock ourselves in a room with our own blind spots. When we reflect, we allow God to use the people and situations around us to trim away what isn't working so we can actually move forward.
The next time you feel that "sting" of criticism today—whether it’s at work, at home, or in a conversation—don't snap back. Take a breath and ask one question: "Is there even 1% of truth in what they just said?" Focus on that 1% and ask God to help you grow from it, rather than just defending the other 99%.