How to respond to criticism

When I became totally convinced that the truth was best for me and those I loved the most....then criticism became my best friend. It still hurts my feelings, and maybe it always will. I must say though, not nearly as much as it once did. Not so much anymore, because the change it has brought to my own life has blessed me so much, I find myself desiring criticism. I desire it so I can be challenged, and so I can get other perspectives and be shown my own blind spots. In the past, the moment I realized I was being criticized, I hit my mental mute button. Now, I hit my mental record button. I play it over a few times, and I compare it to God’s Word. I do my best to put myself in the seat of the jury in my own life. I seek truth at all cost. Then I come to a conclusion. Either I really do need to change, or the criticism is not truth. If it’s not truth, then I’m done with it. Totally done. If the truth is I need to change, I get to work changing. Either way, I embrace criticism because it always either confirms the truth I’m standing on, or it helps me shift to stand on a more solid truth. Psalm 139:23-24,”Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Proverbs 15:31-32,”Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise. Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.”