pilgrim in progress

This article by rapper Curtis Allen has been circulating the blog and is a great example of humility in the face of criticism. In it Allen mentions this article by Alfred Poirier that is available here on the Peacemaker website. It is a great article that puts criticism in the right perspective - namely, in light of the cross. Here is a quote:

In light of God’s judgment and justification of the sinner in the cross
of Christ, we can begin to discover how to deal with any and all
criticism. By agreeing with God’s criticism of me in Christ’s cross, I
can face any criticism man may lay against me. In other words, no one
can criticize me more than the cross has. And the most devastating
criticism turns out to be the finest mercy. If you thus know yourself
as having been crucified with Christ, then you can respond to any
criticism, even mistaken or hostile criticism, without bitterness,
defensiveness, or blameshifting. Such responses typically exacerbate
and intensify conflict, and lead to the rupture of relationships. You
can learn to hear criticism as constructive and not condemnatory
because God has justified you.