Rotten Choices

(Pro 12:4 KJV)  A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

How locked in are we to the way people treat us?  Like so many parts of life, we make choices.  When someone “shames” (954) us we can respond in many ways.  We can internalize it and let it fester.  I think that is the situation this verse refers to.  I have noticed in my life that the criticism that bothers me the most is from someone I let past my defenses.  When a beggar at the door of the 7/11 tells me I am cheap it doesn’t bother me.  When my wife says it, “Ouch.”

The solution is not to refuse to listen but to consider.  Consider the source.  Consider the object of the criticism.  It is very possible that the comments are valid and we need to take another look at how we are living.

So?  Don’t let it get you down.  Isn’t that easy to say but hard to live.  Focus on Jesus and grow in grace.  The criticism can be the making of you.