Continuing with Elder D. Todd Christofferson in his address, "As Many as I Love, I Rebuke and Chasten":
People in our culture seem a little too afraid of hurting someone's feelings as opposed to assisting them with constructive criticism. I can remember some Church youth leaders of mine who got mad at me and said some things but later apologized.
I forgave them their anger. However, I remember what they said. I remember some of this correction. Years later, I am grateful for the feedback and wish they'd given me more feedback in my formative years.
I've found that even reactions of strangers to be useful feedback gauges. We should always consider criticism, regardless of the source.
I've rejected some criticism over the years. I think some criticism I've received from an unnamed person who accused me of being selfish wasn't credible. My actions had simply prevented this person from seeking his/her own selfish ends. However, my carefully evaluating the criticism was beneficial, even if I ultimately rejected it.
So, let's follow Elder Christofferson's advice to meekly weight it and sift it.
Even when we encounter mean-spirited criticism from persons who have little regard or love for us, it can be helpful to exercise enough meekness to weigh it and sift out anything that might benefit us.I've certainly had my share of mean-spirited criticism over the years and probably delivered my fair share of it as well.
People in our culture seem a little too afraid of hurting someone's feelings as opposed to assisting them with constructive criticism. I can remember some Church youth leaders of mine who got mad at me and said some things but later apologized.
I forgave them their anger. However, I remember what they said. I remember some of this correction. Years later, I am grateful for the feedback and wish they'd given me more feedback in my formative years.
I've found that even reactions of strangers to be useful feedback gauges. We should always consider criticism, regardless of the source.
I've rejected some criticism over the years. I think some criticism I've received from an unnamed person who accused me of being selfish wasn't credible. My actions had simply prevented this person from seeking his/her own selfish ends. However, my carefully evaluating the criticism was beneficial, even if I ultimately rejected it.
So, let's follow Elder Christofferson's advice to meekly weight it and sift it.
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