How Damaging Is Criticism?

Over the past thirty years the definition of family violence has changed. Family violence obviously includes emotional wounds and scars that are just as damaging as physical wounds. Remember the absurd cliché, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me”?

How damaging to the self can long-term, harsh criticism be on a person? Criticism damages self-esteem and self-worth as it rips apart a person’s self-image. Criticism transforms into emotional abuse when it judges a person to be unacceptable and unworthy of love and affection.

Listen to the words of Jesus: “Do not judge others so that God will not judge you, for God will judge you by the same rules you applied to others. Why then do you look at the speck in a person’s eye and pay no attention to the log in your own eye?” So show mercy and kindness, for these attributes build treasures to endure for all eternity. 

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“Do not judge others, and God will not judge you; do not condemn others, and God will not condemn you; forgive others, and God will forgive you.”

~Luke 6:37 Good News Bible

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What Defines Emotional Abuse?

Family life does not continually serve up happiness and joy, for no aspect of life is free of stress. Fortunately, moral and spiritual boundaries may prevent stress from evolving into physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. It’s apparent, however, that strife and violence in some families occur frequently.

Beyond physical and sexual abuse is emotional abuse, which consists of accusations, name-calling, withdrawal of affection and love, and physical abandonment. Bullying and threatening others by use of physical abuse is not what God intended, for it is the opposite of love and respect.

Curtailing emotional abuse is possible when there is a willingness to face the truth of its occurrence. Exposing guilt and shame to the light of God’s healing power is a necessity for healing. So remember that the Lord God is your source for courage and strength as you to seek healing for your body, mind and spirit. 

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My help will come from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

~Psalm 121:2 Good News Bible

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