A global preacher was once asked why he never answered his critics. His reply carried deep wisdom: “My friends don’t need my defence, and my critics will never accept it.” He had learned to develop tough skin.
Friend, the greater your assignment, the tougher you must become against criticism and opposition (Genesis 49:22-26). Many people will never believe in you no matter how much you explain. Stop trying to prove yourself to them. It only produces pressure and frustration (Isaiah 49:4).
Some have abandoned their calling, trying to convince the wrong audience (John 19:9). If you respond to every noise in the market, you will never get your own work done. If every comment pulls your attention, then you haven’t fully grasped the vision you’re meant to pursue (Song of Solomon 1:6).
People of purpose are too busy fulfilling their assignment to chase distractions (Philippians 3:12-14). A major sign of lost focus is the urge to answer everything happening around you. Some are so invested in commenting on every issue online that you wonder if they have any real assignment at all (1 Timothy 1:4-7).
Criticism is not always bad. It often proves you are doing something that matters (Nehemiah 6:3). It means your life and work are significant enough to be noticed. If you want no one to talk about you, then do nothing and become nothing. You become a topic at the top, but to stay there, you must ignore the noise (Acts 20:24).
Stay tightly gripped by purpose so that irrelevance has no room (Luke 12:13-14). Not everything good is God. Like Jesus, you cannot be entangled in everyone’s issues and still fulfil destiny. Develop tough skin. Don’t let what people do, say, or post about you control you. In the end, only what God thinks and says about you will count (Matthew 17:5). Be secure in that.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria