When I find myself critical of someone, I think I’m being discerning. I remember the words of an older mentor: “Discernment is not for the purpose of criticism but for the purpose of prayer.”

I turn the negative thought into prayer: a prayer of love and wisdom and growth. I pray into the situation rather than standing outside of it, criticizing. And I trust that God is either moving or not. I don’t need to worry. 

I also remember the words in Acts 5. When people struggled against Peter and the apostles’ activity. They were scared and furious. But a leader said: 

“In the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

Sometimes, we pray and leave people alone.