There's a life-changing section in Teddy Roosevelt's "Man in the Arena" speech that everyone who wants to be used by God should think about.

It says:

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

There's a lot to ponder from these words, but the big takeaway for me is:

God has put us all in an arena of sorts. And whether that arena is small or great, we must not spend our time criticizing or fearing criticism. Instead, we need to put ourselves out there, expecting to get bruised and ready to persevere.

"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him" (Jas.1:12).
 

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