Self-Reflection and Analysis: A Process to Maturity

by: Micah A. Tecne

Every day, we face challenges that will lead us to opportunities to improve. Our response will determine our destiny. One of the challenges we face around us is Criticism. Winston Churchill once said, "Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfills the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things." It makes us conscious of what we need to maintain, improve, change, remove, or innovate.  How do we respond to criticisms? Do we take it constructively or offensively?

Most of the time, we find ourselves offended by Criticism. We retaliate and try to be defensive, which might lead to conflict and unfruitfulness. We tend to lean on our preferences and understanding, which will destroy us inwardly and outwardly. When taken offensively, criticism stagnates us, but when taken constructively, it moves us into a journey of self-reflection and analysis, leading us to maturity and fruitfulness.

Whenever someone tells us that something is wrong with our outfit, we automatically find something to check on, and we usually approach a mirror to find out what the person is talking about. By seeing our reflection, we can check on ourselves and do something about what's wrong with us. Self-reflection allows us to process criticisms constructively. 

Aristotle stated, “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom." Self-reflection and analysis are digging into our inner self to evaluate our deepest desires, intentions, and goals. It will help us to know ourselves better. It will bring us to the answer of the reason we are criticized. Is it true? Did we say or do wrong?  Was our intention, right? How should we react? What will we do? Will my reaction be appropriate? What should we change and improve? If we did wrong, what measures will we take to change it?
​
Our self-reflections bring us to the truth: we have flaws and imperfections that must be corrected. It humbles us to acknowledge our faults and will bring us beneficial change and self-improvement. As Saint Paul once said, if anyone thinks of himself as something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. Let us also reflect and pray like a Psalmist did when he said, "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."