"Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked ... I have been in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles ... and in danger from false brothers."¹ — The Apostle Paul

Flack (strong negative criticism) is a normal part of front line action. Whenever a person invests his or her life in a worthwhile cause and does a good job, people who oppose him or her, or feel threatened or jealous, will inevitably criticize what he or she is doing. The Apostle Paul's life was a prime example. The point is flack is a part of the price of leadership. If we don't want any flack, all we need to do is keep the status quo, don't rock the boat, be politically correct, or stay at home. But safety is not the way of investing your life in a worthwhile cause. As one anonymous poet wrote:

    I would rather stumble a thousand times
    Attempting to reach a goal,
    Than to sit in a crowd
    In my weather-proof shroud,
    A shriveled and self-satisfied soul.
    I would rather be doing and daring
    All of my error-filled days,
    Than watching and waiting, and dying
    Smug in my perfect ways.
    I would rather wonder and blunder,
    Stumbling blindly ahead,
    Than for safety's sake
    Least I make a mistake
    Be sure, be safe, be dead.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please give me a passion to live for you and invest my life in a worthwhile cause. Give me the courage to not shrink back because of criticism from those who oppose truth and your work. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. 2 Corinthians 11:24-26 (NIV).

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