On Criticism

Here is some practical advice:

If you are a leader, expect to be criticized.
Someone has said, "If you want to lead the orchestra, you have to turn your back to the audience." You must learn to stay focused on your work in spite of what is being said behind your back.

A Division I, NCAA college basketball referee who called some of the Final Four basketball games, was asked what makes the difference between the good and great officials. He said, "It is the ability to stay focused on the game while tuning out the constant criticism of the crowd".

Don't respond to every criticism.
Abraham Lincoln is remembered today as one of our nation's finest Presidents. However, during his tenure, he may have been the most criticized. On one occasion, he stated that, "If I stopped to read, much less, answer, every letter of criticism I receive, this office would have to be closed for nothing else but that of dealing with critics and complainers". After one of Lincoln's speeches, the newspaper in Chicago wrote a scathing editorial. A portion of those comments stated, "The cheeks of every American should be red with shame at that silly, washed-out, utterance of the man who has to be introduced to foreigners as the President of the United States". That "washed-out" speech would come to be known as The Gettysburg Address.

Stay focused on the task at hand.
Refuse to alter the agenda either to retaliate or please "unpleasable" people.

When the New York Times informed the builder of the Panama Canal of critics back home, the reporter wondered out loud how the general intended to answer his skeptics. He simply said, "I will answer them by building the Panama Canal".

2 Timothy 3:12(NIV)In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted

Matthew 5:10-12 (The Message)"You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom. 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.

(Interesting, too, that the persecution spoken of, is that which comes from those who claim to know God)