I don't take criticism well

What is your reaction to criticism? Does it depend on who it is coming from? For me, I think criticism is harder to take from people close to me. I wonder why? It must be because:

1) I am most vulnerable to them and

2) The comments hit a nerve because I know they are right on

Most of the time, the size of my reaction to criticism is directly proportional to how closely I know the person giving it. Sometimes the smallest, most insignificant comment can create a firestorm inside me, depending on who it comes from and when it is delivered.

So what does this mean? Does it have any spiritual significance?

After studying the book of James, I can tell you it has tremendous spiritual significance. Some themes running throughout James are:

• Growth through trials
  
• Patience
  
• Enduring temptations
  
• Withholding rash speech
  

  …which I think all lead us to what we refer to as spiritual warfare. If you look at the opposite of each of the traits listed above (cursing God during trials, impatience, giving in to temptation, speaking without restraint) you see what it is like to live and walk in the flesh, which is precisely what Satan desires for us, because when we are walking in the flesh, we cannot produce spiritual fruit (ref Galatians 5:16-26) - and when we are not producing spiritual fruit, we are working against God's will (Matthew 12:30 and Luke 6:43-45). So it seems from Jesus' words that neutrality in spiritual warfare is impossible, and therefore cannot be ignored. What then can we do about it in everyday life? By what means can we take up the full armor of God when dealing with criticism (Ephesians 6:10-17)? Not so much that the criticism itself is a Satanic attack, but the temptation to react to it in a fleshly way is (for in fact, our reaction to the "attack" of criticism is either a win for Satan the attacker or for God our redeemer).
  

  The Bible says spiritual warfare (at least in part) is in the realm of our mind and will (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). So this "discipline" in concert with being prepared and ready for action at all times (having our "feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace") prepares us to react with grace rather than hostility; love rather than anger; restraint rather than fury…ideally, at least.
  

  Maybe my reaction to criticism is actually a pretty good gauge of my "real" spiritual walk.
  

  Scary - yes
  

  Eye opening - yes…Thankfully, God can use realizations like this to direct us toward Him…even when we don't think we are too far off the path, He sees what is really going on and He always, always wants us to come closer to Him.
  

  So thank God for criticism (yikes) and take the time to analyze your reaction…spiritual diagnosis is the first step in the healing process.