John Maxwell told a story about a critical, negative barber. A salesperson came in for a haircut one day and described his upcoming trip to Rome. The barber had only negative, discouraging comments about the trip, and everything else. He even criticized the man’s dream of having an audience with the pope.
A couple of months later he returned to the barber shop. He gave his report: “It was wonderful. The flight was perfect. The hotel service was excellent. I made a big sale, and I got to meet the pope.”
“What did he say?” asked the barber. “He placed his hand on my head,” replied the salesperson, “and he asked, ‘My son, where did you get such a lousy haircut?’”
Like that barber, it is very easy to be negative and critical. Anyone can do that. That takes no talent or abilities.
Benjamin Disraeli once said, “How much easier it is to be critical than to be correct.” Dale Carnegie wrote, “Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain - and most fools do.”
The scripture teaches a better way. “Fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise; things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely and honorable.” (Philippians 4:8)
My prayer today is to be less critical. My prayer is for Christ to so touch my life that I am filled with the right kind of thoughts. My prayer is that I will have a tight reign on my words. Come to think of it, wouldn’t that be a good prayer for us all?