Are You Your Own Worst Critic?

Why do we keep critics in our lives?
You probably have someone in your life that seems to be on the hunt for anything they can criticize. It might not be a friend, a coworker, or a family member. It might just be yourself.
Today, Fr. Mike explains how to turn your inner critic into your inner coach.
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[@Donna-cc1kt]

I’m not the critic of myself but mom was. I’m the parent that loved me and helped (with God) get past the hurt. You asked why do I keep the critic in my life. Beside no choice, hah, she gave me the greatest gift. She didn’t practice her Catholic faith except in one marvelous way. She kept me in Catholic schools for 8 years at a financial sacrifice. She set my foot on the path to God. She wasn’t the model but she provided the models. In her strange way she saved me. It took a long time to see that even not so good people in our lives are moved by God to do great things. I am thankful for her.

[@sleepinglioness5754]

Good for you for looking at, understanding and forgiving the critic you lived with. I'm hearing a bit of John Bradshaw in your experience. What a blessing you learned what forgiveness is; many don't.

[@Donna-cc1kt]

@@sleepinglioness5754 I had to think for a few seconds, lol. Then my psychology lessens kicked in from 20+ hrs ago. Good for you! Actually I was about 6 yrs old and decided to parent myself. I dunno why.

[@JihyeSofiaSeoDr]

Same here. My mom's voice lives inside me. 😢

[@dustinfulks8166]

Father Mike. As a non catholic, you have helped me more than anyone on this earth. God Bless you sir

[@dustinfulks8166]

@@josephpack7315 I was raised Baptist as well, I do need to go to a Mass though. I greatly appreciate you willing to answer questions

[@kayladavis4574]

@@josephpack7315 Hey! I’m in the middle trying to figure out what the Bible and church history actually says about the Catholic Church! I go to a baptist church in TX but I’m so intimidated about going fo mass cause I don’t know how it works or where to find one! Any recommendations? Thanks!

[@norwegiancatholicism9106]

@@kayladavis4574 A great thing to do! I did the same, started out as an atheist and ended up Catholic :) For going to mass, look up any Catholic churches near you, you'll always find one :) Then see if they have their own website, and there you can usually see the time they have mass and also contact details to the parish priest. Let me know if you have any questions, either theological/historical ones, or more practical ones :) Good luck and God bless you!

[@thecnguyen2171]

T hat is because he preaches the truth which God wants us to hear to help us grow. He is on your side and by grace you're even watching his videos

[@BD-ez9si]

​@@kayladavis4574 Dont be intimidated at all!! It is okay. I was a convert in Easter 2014..and I felt the same way. Just find a Catholic Church(also known as a Parish) and go talk to someone..if I was close by I would take you so you can see what a mass is like. Tell them that you want to see a mass because you have never gone. That way if you like a mass and what it is like to be Catholic, you can go to RCIA. I absolutely love being Catholic! I was a Methodist..and married in a Baptist Church. Prayers for you!

[@pattisiedlicki]

What a beautiful message! The critic says that we are our failures, but the coach, the Holy Spirit, raises us up, encourages us to keep striving, and gives us peace. Thank you for this!

[@tatronhox8711]

yes. father mike explains these things so good! glad that i found father mike when i Was searching for advice

[@hchawkinsiii]

I pray every day that I can overcome my past failures and stop listening to the critic in my head.

[@Donna-cc1kt]

Pray faster and offer your sorrow to God.💕

[@adllllla]

The critic in your hear is the enemy. God has forgiven you, it is the enemy that is trying to convince you that it’s not the case. Pray for the deliverance from the oppression from that spirit. Ask others to pray for you. My friend had a terrible past, and the enemy was tormenting her for years. She read the “unbound” and is now delivered from pain. Praise the Lord! I’ll be praying for you.

[@KG004]

I’ll pray with you.

[@Donna-cc1kt]

Sounds like a good cure💕. You have a Mother and Father and they love your prayers. Listen, they never fail. Love yourself for their sake.

[@georgesmith364]

i can relate to that keep working at it or just block it out completely good luck

[@davidcole333]

So powerful. Theres one more element of the critic...ourselves. I struggle with self criticism, a blatant attack of Satan.

[@bernadette573]

The critic in me has never helped, always made things much worse, almost like teaching despair. An old priest explained to me as a kid that the voice that was accusing me all the time wasn't God, that it was the voice of the other guy.

[@Donna-cc1kt]

Yup the other guy for sure. Don’t listen.

[@nicoleherrera8201]

Amen! Took me till last night to recognize the critic in me lol

[@Donna-cc1kt]

That voice is a liar. Ask your Father, He’ll always tell you Truth.

[@mmuench74]

I'm not convinced that I NEED the critic. I just can't get the critic to STOP.

[@Donna-cc1kt]

Pray for your critic and then leave it in Gods hand.

[@tatronhox8711]

Monica. getting the critic to stop is hard but what i do when the critic shows us all the bad things in us is to remember Despite of all the things that I just cant let go, jesus still loves us. despite of all of our struggles jesus will not give up on us. maybe if you remember this it can help you at least a little idk. god bless you.

[@MrTypingsound]

Maybe you don't need to get it to stop necessarily, but you can override it with affirmations from the scriptures. When Jesus was in the wilderness, he had the voice of deception speaking lies to him, but he overcame through recalling scripture and speaking it. In proverbs, we learn that the voice of deception is calling us from every corner, but we also learn that the voice of truth is calling us from every corner too. So in every moment there is an opportunity to choose life, and to choose the voice of our Father over the voice of the deceiver. Maybe a good idea is to write down a few short verses from the scripture as affirmations that we can speak over ourselves. Just some thoughts, hope its helpful!

[@oldmothergooseV2.0]

Here’s a trick I learned: when you hear the critic, mentally stand up and point and shake your finger at the critic and shout “stop!” Or “no!” And then think of what your loving supportive grandma or best friend or favorite teacher (whoever loves & supports you the most) would say to encourage you. Do this over & over and eventually you’ll replace your critic with an encourager! I’m practicing this and it works for me, hope it helps 🤓

[@chinonsoibe2384]

I understand how you feel. I have this struggle too. As much as we want to believe Jesus loves us, which He does. It’s harder and deeper than that, you not only need Jesus, but some help, like therapy. Finding the underlying issues of where this comes from.

[@Richie016]

Holy Spirit is a tireless coach, who prepares to take control of one's life to make progress.

[@ihs2021]

Amen

[@ruethy2566]

It's a martyr's day in uganda today celebrating our heroes

[@sleepinglioness5754]

Blessed are they who were so brave to stand up for and announce their love of God and Christianity and lay down their lives as proof of that love and devotion. I hope I would be as brave as they were to go to my death. Thanks nalubega gourate for reminding us of this very important day in Uganda...so very touching. We here in N. America are so filtered from such realities. God love you.

[@michaelacioffi1291]

This is the video that I need after going through a phase of thinking that I'm not good enough and comparing myself to others. Thank you Fr Mike!

[@UnOrthodox_Christian]

Once again he’s made a video that I exactly needed to hear at the moment. The critic in my head is destroying me at my new job because I have no idea what I’m doing

[@JU-ki9wb]

I'm with you

[@angelalemos9811]

Fr. Mike I don't recall giving you permission to call my 16 year old self out like that 😅😆😆😆

[@brikC]

Father Mike, thank you so much. You have no idea how much this applies to me right now. I feel like this video was sent by God to me I feel like there IS hope now. God bless you, thank you.

[@LPJoAnn]

Thanks! my life is such a mess, the critic has been a constant companion. Now, I realize that what I need to do is give myself up to God and listen to the ultimate coach, the Holy Spirit.

[@julielee3532]

Why is it so much easier to accept negativity rather than positivity? I accept negative thoughts from my brain more quickly than the positive ones. #askfrmike

[@shimbakatema4026]

I am going back into a field of work where I have failed numerous times,but God keeps opening these doors.I beat myself up mercilessly,I needed this message,thank you Lord Jesus

[@robertocastillo5583]

Blessings from Belize, Father Mike. You are an awesome teacher.

[@robertocastillo5583]

Sounds to me like my dad and the older folks at my prayer group

[@emilymckellar7443]

I was watching this video just because. Never in a million years would I have connected this to me. "You've fallen, just lay there" man oh man oh man wow

[@araceliguertin4260]

Thank you Fr Mike for your words of wisdom! May the Holy Spirit continue to work in you, that you may always be a powerful and inspirational disciple of Christ leading us to walk in God’s light. God bless 🙏🏽

[@jonquilgemstone]

This video helped provide a clarity I seriously needed in my life. I went from despair, confusion, and borderline self-loathing to grinning from ear to ear because I see my position, a destination, and even a potential path into God's grace. This understanding was the missing piece I needed, and I am convinced the Holy Spirit likes to work through the algorithm recommending these videos to people. Thank you, and God bless. ❤

[@debbie9560]

Love you Father Mike I look at things very differently when I listen to you God has Blessed us with you!

[@michelleferrao8888]

Thank u Father Mike 💫 The coach our God will never give up on us.🌠 God will always send the Holy Spirit to give us hope and strength in our life🌻🕊

[@citizensnid3490]

At the back of my mind when he does his homilies I’m thinking “Captain America “ he is a superhero and Jesus is the Superhero who can save everyone. Greetings from Britain

[@Donna-cc1kt]

Awe! ❤️

[@Peaceshiet812]

Father Mike is like the perfect example of a Catholic priest, & I learn so much from him, even though I’m a Baptist, from the Uk as, well 😊

[@jennyoszust1981]

Thanks FR. Mike, the Holy Spirit truly talk though you. Thank Jesus, for the gift of priests

[@heathervancalcar4446]

I needed to hear this! Thank you! The Critic only frustrates me more, and sends me in a downward spiral. I get to the point of thinking "Why even try? I will just fail." How can you silence this? Or how to ask the Holy Spirit to be louder? In any case. Thank you I needed to hear this message. God Bless!

[@firstshallbelastuntilforev6782]

The more you can quiet your innerlife the louder the Spirit will sound, it'll come with time.

[@gormleyjoseph7427]

WHAT A GREAT DISTINCTION BETWEEN CRITIC AND CONVICTOR - I neesed this . Thank God for the Way that the Holy Spirit has inspired you Fr Mike.

[@Th3Sh4DyGr3Y1]

Thank you fr Schmidt for this .Spot on

[@adrianyokohandson1584]

Thanks so much Father! This was truly a message for me. God bless you🙏

[@karak.7201]

This was sitting in my recommendations since you posted this, but I was avoiding this video, lol. I needed to watch this though, the critic in my head is brutal, constantly tearing me down. I needed to listen to this so much. Ty

[@tegendavidge1535]

Father Mike this was soooo helpful!!!! Thank you!!!!!!

[@epictrooper2568]

I have been living with this critic in my head for such a long time without realizing that it was a horrible thing. Thank you for this video; please pray for me so that I might have this critic removed and replaced with the Holy Spirit that encourages me instead of condemns.

[@DarkAngel-cj6sx]

I usually pray, ask God what i need and wait because I don't want to be anxious as Jesus said not to be. Then, there is this voice inside me always that makes me unworthy like why would God does that for you? I spend all my time fighting that and I feel like my faith is weak even though I know it is not. I hope it makes sense. Thank you for reading this and fr. Mike may God continues to increase your faith

[@tatronhox8711]

father mike is so right with the things he says. the critic doesnt help. he imprisons me in the past. there Was a time where everything was fine and i got so far. but all of that for nothing. now the critic reminds me how beautiful the past was and of all the things i have done wrong to ruin it. the critic tells me if something from now on All things are going to get worse. and all that is left is that i live in my positive memories instead of maybe working on myself and changing the situation. the critic doesnt improve me he imprisons me. like father mike said we need the holy spirit to set us free. this is the truth.

[@mikejugo7630]

WOW!!! I was literally thinking about this (the "critic" in my head) for the past few days! Thanks, Fr. Mike!

[@frankbusateri9334]

Thank you Father Mike for this meaningful message to all of us.

[@margaretwallach603]

Thank you Fr Mike.

[@KG004]

Well, I needed that and the timing couldn’t have been better.

[@allenshapi2170]

Thank you fr Mike.

[@kristiewilly8017]

Satan, from the Greek, Satanos,"The Accuser". That wicked unhelpful critic has a NAME. We have a great defense attorney in our side. He says, "I think she's wonderful. She's worth EVERYTHING to me. Worth dying for. In fact, I did die for her." Someone I love and miss taught me that-Fr Bill Baer (I know you knew him, too. I was blessed to have him as my priest in Oakdale.).. I have no doubt he's in heaven, but Fr Mike? Can you say a blessing for him anyway? He always said not to canonize him right away-he needed the prayers. 😍

[@gabrielle8155]

And the Holy Spirit is the defender

[@aletheapape5209]

Thank you Fr Mike

[@josephstevens9888]

"When has the critic ever actually helped?"... well said Fr. Mike! I gotta slap down my critic from time-to-time. he will rear his head when my guard is down.

[@cathierichardson7733]

Your videos are so helpful, thank you. I look forward to watching one each day, learning from the message, and applying it to my life.

[@joyyoung3319]

Thank You Father mike. God Bless.

[@jademondia6537]

I NEEDED this! Thanks Fr. Mike & Ascension! 😌☺️😌 Been struggling with a sin relapse lately. This helped convict me 💜

[@mariafaithjoseph8703]

Just experienced a critic vs. Coach moment yesterday druing my prayer time, and dang! Fr. Mike's new video is on that! I mean how cool is God's timing?!

[@210SAi]

Holy Spirit Lead me, guide me, strengthen me, enlighten me Give me your orders and tell me what to do

[@adriannefluet5980]

Can I ask y catholic nuns and priest were so mean way back then towards aboriginals why did they not know love and the ten commandments why father Mike why??

[@MariaPullatt]

This is so reassuring, also I wanted to mention my usual part of depressive phase where I would just stand in front of the mirror and point at myself saying "You are gonna end up as nothing, you are a failure and God hates you" I could always feel that tug inside me that simply says, "Girl, you do know none of those are true, why tho?" And I would be like "Just let me be saaaaad!!!" Now I realize maybe it was the Holy Spirit sitting in the corner eating popcorn as I was being a drama queen, and He's going like, "Nice show, so realistic, you can't even tell she's acting."

[@faithbreathes9598]

I would really recommend I Believe in Love or St Thereses autobiography! They really helped me to be secure of the love of God! Also St Faustina’s diary if you have time (it’s a long one)

[@celesteb.335]

I needed to hear this.. thanks Fr Mike.. God bless you..

[@adabellepacheco1210]

Fr Mike always on point with your messages. may the Holy Spirit continue to enlighten you with the messages we need 🙏🏻

[@AM-ni3sz]

Godly wisdom, thank you

[@fulaingong5303]

Thank you so much Fr.Mike for this wonderful message. I felt like it was for me in particular. Looking back at my day today there are so many times I was a critic to myself. I'm definitely going to work on getting the critic's voices out of my head and work with that of the convictor.

[@richlles8652]

This is where you’ve fallen just lay there 🗡in my ❤️

[@lauraabrodsky8155]

Thank you so much for this clarity in the “voices”, Father. Come, Holy Spirit. 🙏🕊

[@zemneo6485]

This is a very important video. Thank you for sharing your wisdom.

[@dianefrank3688]

I get the bible in a year easily and can see everything. I am having a HARD time getting the same lay out for the catechism in a year. I got #1 and do not see the line up for the reat of catechism in a year.

[@angelodavies7654]

God bless you Fr Mike aka coach Mike :) , I pray that the Holy Spirits continues to convict you to help/coach others including me :) to grow closer to Christ in His perfection not mine. Amen.

[@mr.goldenproductions_0143]

PREACH

[@shannonsalter6407]

This video was so needed in my heart and every heart. God bless you, Fr. Mike.

[@sharonfuentes3294]

So hard when people in your life ...tell you ... you failed & didn’t measure up. Their love is conditional. Then the critic in you amplifies it. So painful to find your friends don’t know what love is.

[@oldmothergooseV2.0]

Those aren’t your friends, they’re your enemies. Pray for them & let them go

[@lorettagallagher9577]

Thank you, Fr. Mike.

[@awesomelipe8396]

How to talk about the devil without mentioning it. Thanks father Mike

[@akpopfamily907]

This is a perfect message to share with my 12 yr old son. I appreciate the teachings you grace us with. Thank you

[@sonh9983]

Thanks

[@samanthafoxxx]

A day in my head is like the Disney movie inside out😂 except it’s really not funny😣

[@ivonnemedrano8937]

Father Mike Thank you for everything you do your videos are very inspiring and greatly needed, God bless you.

[@sergiotea]

my inner critic .. is my Ego... the Ego is not my Amigo!

[@achristfollowingturnbullma8237]

I get this I can be having a nice day and then bam a voice pops in and slanders me causing me to lose the man and attitude I just had the me the positive get up and go to become a sad weak….

[@AndersonOliveira-kh6kk]

From Brazil

[@stormbreaker6399]

Thanks Fr Mike...... You're amazing, wish you uploaded your Sunday Homilies too...... God bless yall.... Love from India.

[@stormbreaker6399]

@@TheBlfan I use Spotify

[@marie-andreehueglin1881]

When I decided to write down all that the critic said in my head, I lasted 20 minutes. I wouldn't allow anyone to talk to me this way so why do I harm my soul this way? It took me about a year to forgive myself.

[@julielee3532]

Thank you for the idea of writing down what the critic says. God bless you 🙏🙏🙏

[@marie-andreehueglin1881]

@@julielee3532 My pleasure! I also write down my intentions and go back and put a check mark when I realise that my prayer has been granted. Too often, I moved on to the next thing and didn't take the time to thank God.

[@katesanchez1366]

Beautiful message! Thank you Fr. Mike Schmitz! I feel like we all need to remember to not be so hard on ourselves as God has created us gentle and beautiful creatures needed of love not a voice that puts us down. Gods love and voice can only help us overcome our struggles and become the best-version-of-ourselves.

[@etienne-victordepasquale668]

I'd like to rate this 5-star as well as like it !!!

[@01Lagym]

I want Christ’s merciful love too

[@Martina_E]

I am my worst critic & I need it to stop now!

[@judyknapp6176]

Please answer me this : how can you be sure it’s God , Jesus , or the Holy Ghost that Is speaking to me & not satan ?

[@brotherroopteachesthebible5368]

Beautiful message

[@skajs426]

Thank you for saving me from myself. I need the coach; the critic only hurts me. Thank you Holy Spirit. Praise be to God 🕊️🤍♥️

[@angelaastuti]

God bless you Fr Mike thank you!

[@44esta44]

🌺On top of this, Father, social media if FILLED with complaints and criticisms. Young people, in particular, could be unduly influenced by it. Thank you! 💖🙏🇺🇸

[@normaljeans908]

Like your show. I'm not a Catholic. Question , why do I not get any verbal help from the creators of these videos if I ask a question, like Do I have a chance to obtain The Lords mercy and forgiveness if I'm not a Catholic. I don't take the Holy Eucharist. I thank God for his word he finally got me to read at age 62 in 2016. He has some awesome timing. I'm glad. So what you say and thanks. Oh, Don't be put off by the handle I use for some channels. I wasn't thinking when I thought it up.

[@karinaangsan]

Thank you for sharing this message of hope in the Holy Spirit, Fr. Mike! I had been struggling with negative self talk for a couple months because I was afraid of failing. Things finally turned around when I surrendered the outcomes of my work (past, present, and future) to the Lord. Since then, the Holy Spirit has been guiding me with a more hopeful perspective 🙌

[@grunt12394]

God Bless You Fr. Mike, I have been listening to my inner critic too much. It has been leading to depressive ruminations. I realize now I need to take back my mind and realize my dignity as God’s beloved son.

[@nolanpenner5748]

Hello again Father Mike. Thank you for telling me about the vision you have experienced about me. I could not donate to the charity you said but I made sure to donate around my community. Sorry if that was not what was meant. I have fallen so far away from God a month after my first year of Bible school and have become filled with anger instead of love for others around me who treat me poorly. I was given good advice from a friend to read a lament psalm and to pray after reading. I want to ask what you think I should do in this time of grief and anger?

[@donnasiracusa4700]

Thank you so much for this video! My critics are not myself but outsiders who did not have the ambition to extend their education to prosper financially. The mindset that I have is to continue to learn. You are never too old to learn and prosper financially, spiritually and mentally. Therefore, I failed at one course of study and picked myself up by the boot straps; I moved to another study. What I thought was a sin in defending ones honor and found out it is not a sin to standup for yourself. I mean in regards to wanting to learn new information and not become stagnant in life. Just because one person can retire at an early age, say late 40s or early 50s; it is not the same for the other person. Also, I do not see it as a failure to own a business and hand it over to another person. I do not see it as a failure to re-invent yourself due to the economic times! I call that Brilliant! God is the ultimate coach! He will always point the way to where he intended for you to go. Sometimes one will do what their will is to find out that God's will is always first. When you do find this out, one will see they are truly happy. I found a course of study that makes me truly happy. How many people can say they are happy with their career or job they are performing! Me! Thank you Jesus!!

[@daybydaystonebystone]

It truly does feel like being enslaved in your own head😣 with a tyrant managing your every move. The critic has so much influence in my life and I’ve come to realize that it has stolen my happiness countless times. I often live unsatisfied with life because the critic says that it is never enough. As if there is always a missing piece that I need to find. It has made it so difficult to live in the present moment because I’m stuck on reaching this ideal. The ideal itself is good, but the voice of the critic steals my energy, my joy and my piece😣. Father Mike, thank you for being like a spiritual director to me. I’ve never met you but you have been so influential in my journey. Thank you for being you and for all you give🙏🏼❤️

[@joseroza1804]

And good luck finding a place where everyone are meant to learn

[@teresaice3393]

I really needed to see this. Thank you

[@etienne-victordepasquale668]

Fr Mike, thank you ... your teaching reminds me of the power of love to inspire me to be better. Love builds, edifies, inspires, lifts ... all that is good, is rooted in love.

[@joannazycinska8121]

Your words can be especially helpful to those who suffer from clinical depression and need a person to lift them up.

[@annjoseph5429]

How did you know 🥺😮

[@shareenchoudhury-leighton1748]

💙 Thank you! it's an important topic for all of us. Self compassion is needed, having faith that God believes in us and will cheer us on to a safer and joyful place (keep your heart rooted in God) 💙

[@kathleenalford7078]

I really needed this message today. Thank you! 🙏

[@thanbeal123]

Thank you

[@LadyLeo8208]

I have been struggling for many years with that inner critic, and a lot more these past few months. But for about the past week, I am finally hearing a soft voice of encouragement. When I mess up, I hear, “Okay, what can you do differently tomorrow to be better and reach your goals?” Instead of, “Well, you did it again and screwed everything up. There is no point trying because it is what it is and that’s just who you are. You will never learn.” But I give all the glory to God because He is my creator and all loving father.

[@phoenixaz8431]

I'm not sayin this in an angry, depressed or bitter way, but it would have been better, infinitely more loving of God if I hadn't been born. Objectively, I had no real possibility for success, happiness, to thrive.

[@pattymankowski8200]

Father,I am struggling to get to confession it's been over 40years.what would I possibly day to the priest! How do you confess 40 years of sin.thank you

[@katarzynanow6889]

Father.Thank You.this day in the church we have Day of Sacrado Corazon de Jesús. I am so Happy .I can hidden in him.

[@donnagallenstein7361]

The critic is an ex husband who was abusive.. I have an occasional problem with hearing “I am worthless “ thank you so much, God is great

[@helenrosario1421]

I so needed this today. Thanks Fr Mike