Others see only what is visible and I justify myself based on my intent, even when at times my actions fall short of the intents. It is difficult to receive criticism and rebuke.

God may rebuke directly, but he may also send someone on his behalf. Like Stephen in the story of the early church.

“How stubborn you are!” Stephen went on to say. “How heathen your hearts, how deaf you are to God's message! You are just like your ancestors: you too have always resisted the Holy Spirit!

Was there any prophet that your ancestors did not persecute? They killed God's messengers, who long ago announced the coming of his righteous Servant. And now you have betrayed and murdered him.

You are the ones who received God's law, that was handed down by angels — yet you have not obeyed it!”

As the members of the Council listened to Stephen, they became furious and ground their teeth at him in anger. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw God's glory and Jesus standing at the right-hand side of God. “Look!” he said. “I see heaven opened and the Son of Man standing at the right-hand side of God!”

(Acts 7.51-56 GNB)

This reminds me of the story of King David and Prophet Nathan in 2 Samuel 12.

The difference is that David recognised his faults and repented. The members of the Council did not and killed Stephen.

If God sends me a "Stephen" or a "Nathan", would I recognise him and repent?