(Thoughts provoked by another blogger discussed over breakfast with my dear and wise wife.) You often hear people say 'Consider the source.' when there is criticism or complaining as if to just brush aside the discomfort of knowing that someone is not pleased with them. But in all reality, none of us are always right, in every avenue, all of the time. If a person feels passionately enough about something to say something, even if they are known to just like a fight or a 'good' gripe, perhaps there is something we can learn from the sometimes unwarranted news.
By all means don't let it ruin your day, but rather than brush it aside, first consider the gripe. Consider that there may be some truth to it. There is usually even a little truth to things said in jest. We can pray "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if [there be indeed any] wicked way in me,"
Consider that perhaps there is something the Lord wants to teach you about yourself. Don't you know if you sincerely ask Him to reveal it to you that He will. And if there is no truth to the complaint then God will surely assure your heart.
Consider the complaint before you consider the source. We have a tendency to exalt self and thereby ignore even the counsel of the Spirit in our hearts. This we must not do.
"He must increase, WE must decrease!"
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