Some people can find the dark cloud in every silver lining. These individuals are all too ready to pounce on the latest idea or the smallest breakthrough—so they can tear it down. Let me be clear. I'm not talking about constructive advice here. A thoughtful counterpoint can be essential to the decision-making process.
But I'm referring to people who have a commitment to pessimism. They always view the glass as half empty. They are chronic naysayers, and they are an occupational hazard in this fallen world.
How should we respond to their negativity at work? My guess is that most of us don't respond well. Negative comments can feel like an attack on our ideas, and sometimes we respond with a counterattack. On other occasions, we may immerse ourselves in fruitless introspection over a criticism because we're afraid of making a mistake. After all, the last thing we want to do is prove those naysayers right!
When we respond like this, we're far too focused on ourselves and the judgments rendered on our ideas. We let the opinions of others loom large in our world. We're more concerned about what others think than what God thinks. We're caught up in what Proverbs 29:25 calls the fear of man.
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