Wisdom From The World:
“People tend to criticize their spouse most loudly in the area where they themselves have the greatest emotional need.” Gary Chapman
“Criticism is an indirect form of self-boasting.” Emmet Fox
“When we judge or criticize another person, it says nothing about that person; it merely says something about our need to be critical.” Unknown
“Criticism is the disapproval of people, not for having faults, but having faults different than mine.” Unknown
“Strong people don’t put others down, they lift them up.” Michael P. Watson
“Let the refining of your own life keep you so busy that you have no time to criticize others.” Unknown
Wisdom From The Word:
“Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor. Matthew 7:1-6 (The Message)
Keep Me Real Lord!
Dear Lord, whenever I sense that feeling of dissatisfaction with my mate arising in my heart help me to change my focus to what I truly value about him/her.
Then help me to turn my focus on myself. Help me to own my own critical spirit and help me to pause long enough to own what is going on with me.
If I have to raise an issue with my spouse because I have been injured help me to do it with an attitude of vulnerability and not with the spirit of criticism. Thank you for hearing my prayer.
