Leadership Thought: Something We and Our Political Leaders Need to Hear.

Dear Family,

What do you do when people say unkind things about you? When your motives are questioned, or your integrity is challenged, how do you respond? If we are honest, most all of us would admit that we us don’t like to be criticized and often our response is motivated by anger, and I don’t mean the righteous kind.

Let me suggest a good response to the above concern regarding our response to criticism as told by the late pastor Robert Schuller. Schuller tells a story that illustrates how we might want to handle those who criticize us or impugn our character. It’s good advice; however, let me warn you it is not always so easy to put into practice.

Schuller tells of a judge who was campaigning for reelection. He had a reputation for integrity. He was a distinguished and honorable gentleman of no small charity. His opponent was conducting a vicious mud smearing, unfair campaign against him. Somebody approached the judge and asked, “Do you know what your opponent is saying about you? Do you know he is criticizing you? How are you going to handle it? What are you going to do about it?” The judge looked at his counselors and his campaign committee and calmly replied, “Well, when I was a boy, I had a dog. And every time the moon was full, that hound dog would howl and bark at the bright face of the moon. We never did sleep very well those nights. He would bark and howl at the moon all night.” 

“That’s beside the point,” the campaign manager impatiently responded. “You’ve told us a nice story about your dog, what are you going to do, about your critic?” The judge explained, “I just answered you! When the dog barked at the moon, the moon kept right on shining! And I’ll ignore the criticism, as the moon ignored the dog. I’ll just keep right on shining! Quietly, calmly, beautifully.” Integrity, Ted Engstrom, p. 13.

By our response to criticism, we have the opportunity to become a bright and shining star in the midst of this world’s darkness. Sometimes it is best to remain silent when criticized. Jesus remained silent in the face of the accusations made against him by the chief priests and other Jewish leaders who were demanding answer to their charges. (Matthew 27:12-14).

Yes, there are times when the wisest things we can do is to remain silent in the face of criticism and false accusations. Just keep your mouth closed and listen. Don’t speak or try to be defensive. Don’t point the finger of blame in some other direction. Just remain quiet in the face of the one who would criticize you, and in so doing you may become that bright and shining star that this dark world so desperately needs to see.

Let’s remember the wise words of Henry Ironside, a well-known preacher of this last century, who said on facing criticism, “If what they are saying about you is true, mend your ways. If it isn’t true, forget it, and go on and serve the Lord. Good advice for all of us to follow, especially those candidates running for president.

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom