Criticism vs. Advice - Praying for Wisdom

It is often hard for me to know the difference between criticism and advice. It’s especially hard for me to know the difference when I’m the one dishing it out. I tend to like to share what I’ve learned in life. That’s giving advice. If it’s done in the right way, that is.

Often, though, I think about things I’ve said or suggested to other people and realized it might be taken as criticism. I rarely mean it as that. True criticism is something I don’t like to dish out. As an editor, when I’m hired or contracted to edit someone’s work, that’s different. It’s legitimate and actually sought after. Now, this blog is casual, so don’t assume I edit the way I write this blog.

The trick with criticism and advice is in knowing when it will be welcome and useful and accepted, and when it is out of line. Criticism can be constructive or destructive. I can’t recall many times when I’ve criticized just to tear somebody down. Usually I do it to share a way they can improve something. Problem is that many people do not see it that way. It can cause hard feelings.

So, since I realize I am just a weak human being, I suppose this is one area where I should pray, and pray humbly, for God’s guidance. I need him to coach me on when to offer helpful advice and when to simply shut up. Wow, that’s even hard for me to write, let alone say.

Father, I truly need your help, that I might help in the right way at the right time, and that I might have the wisdom to know when to keep quiet, too.