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I Will Not Criticize, Not Find Fault

Friday March 8, 2024
 

Just for today I will be agreeable. I will not criticize, not find fault, and not try to improve or control anybody except myself. I will pray blessing on one person with whom I struggle to relate. 


It is so easy to find fault and criticize what others are saying or doing.  The truth is, it does not benefit our own well-being when we fix our focus on another’s flaws or failures, plus it distracts from the transforming work of God in our own lives.  We may think that by criticizing and trying to control others we may change them, but it rarely has that effect.  God has a better option for us today.

God’s grace has been given to me. So here is what I say to every one of you. Don’t think of yourself more highly than you should. Be reasonable when you think about yourself. Keep in mind the faith God has given to each of you. If you say or do things that harm one another, watch out! You could end up destroying one another. Say only what will help to build others up and meet their needs. Then what you say will help those who listen. (Romans 12:3, Galatians 5:15, Ephesians 4:29 NIRV) 
We are all on a journey of recovering the life God created us to live.  We each have different challenges and character flaws, but God is patiently working for good in all of us.  In the same way that God accepts us in our change process, it is important that we accept others in theirs.  If we see someone struggling, instead of criticizing them, we should take the opportunity to pray for them and support their healing and growth. We may not immediately see any change in the person but at least we know we are part of the solution rather than part of the problem.  When we pray we open the door for God to work a miracle in another's life. 

If we are to follow God's command to speak only words that build others up and meet their needs, we will need to allow God to teach us new ways of thinking and behaving towards each of our friends and neighbours.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, It is so easy for me to find fault and criticize those around me.  Forgive me for thinking I am any less flawed than the next person.  Thank You for Your transforming grace that enables me to admit and deal with my own character defects.  Please help me to choose to bless rather than criticize others. Please make me more like Jesus. Amen

  

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