Dr. Charles Lowery is a motivational speaker. For years, though, he was a pastor, and some of his observations on the ministry were absolutely hilarious. Consider this one on criticism:

I always try to be positive with my critics. One came up to me last week and I said, “If I had two more just like you, I’d be a happy man.” He didn’t know what to say. He replied, “Pastor, what are you talking about? I’m always criticizing you. Why would you be happy if you had two more like me?” I answered, “Because I have twenty more like you. If I only had three, I would be a happy man!”

If you want to avoid getting criticized I’d suggest that you become a hermit who doesn’t attempt to get anything done. Then again, that will get you criticized for being lazy! Yes, unfortunately, getting criticized is pretty much inevitable in this world.

Sometimes it seems as if people are lined up around the block waiting to tell me all the things I’ve done wrong. In response, I’ve often used a Bill Murray line from the classic comedy Ghostbusters. At one point in the storyline, after Murray and the other Ghostbusters have become famous, he tries to have a conversation with Sigourney Weaver, the girl of his dreams. When she cuts him down with a sarcastic remark, he says, “Oh, I don’t have to take this abuse from you. I’ve got hundreds of people waiting to abuse me.”

Let me offer a simple two-fold suggestion for how you should handle the criticism that will inevitably come your way. First, honestly evaluate the criticism to see if there is even a kernel of truth in it. Much to your chagrin, you might find that you actually deserve what you are getting. Then, second, make any changes that you need to make because of the criticism.

Please understand that I’m not suggesting that you beat yourself up over criticism that isn’t factual or valid. If no changes are warranted on your part, don’t make any. But you aren’t perfect, and that means that sometimes changes will be in order for you. And it’s during those times that you’ll have to ask yourself, “Am I a big enough person to accept this criticism rightly and make the appropriate changes to bring good out of it?”