It is said that a successful man or woman is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him or her.

How do you respond to criticism and rejection?

If I am honest, I find it hard.

But when we learn to accept both of those things proactively and with grace, God can really use it to build us and change our character.

If I think back to those situations in the last few years that have hurt me the most, those are the things that have taught me the deepest lessons.

A friend deserting me, a mentor rejecting me, a recording that seems to have vanished into thin air, an organisation that has left me out in the cold… all of those things have made me stronger.

I wouldn’t lie to you and say that it wasn’t painful to deal with them. But I have learnt that they don’t define me… therefore they won’t confine me either.

They are God’s bricks. And we are His workmanship. He uses everything that happens to us for His purposes. Good and bad. Nice and nasty. Happy and ugly. Let Him build you up with what others have used to tear you down!