Have you ever looked back on the source of some of your troubles to try to figure out where things went wrong? After examining a situation, we tend to conclude one of two things, either someone else wronged me in some way, or it was my fault that something went awry. Even if we were mostly, or even partly at fault, we usually tend to blame others for our woes. I once worked with someone who had an excuse for every problem that arose, and it was never her fault, but someone else was to blame. The truth is often that we are partly or even mostly at fault in many of these cases, but are often too proud to admit it. Have you experienced a bad situation where blame was wrongly assigned to others?
Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4
When I look at most of the problematic situations I’ve encountered, especially in relationships, it seems that most of them have resulted from the selfish choices of myself or someone else. When we put our own desires above the needs of others, life gets out of balance. There may be other things that factor in to these choices, but when you boil it down, selfishness and pride are usually the things that keep us from forgiveness and reconciliation. This makes sense for those who are not Christian, but seems it should be less common for those who claim to follow Christ.
For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” Mark 7:21-23
How about in your relationship to Christ? Do you put Him first, or does that only happen for a couple hours in Sunday? It is within human nature to go after what you want instead of putting others needs before your own. It doesn’t mean we should be a doormat for everyone, but when you do consider others as well, you get less upset at all the little things in life. When we put Christ first in our lives, and his Spirit lives within us, it does become more natural to show kindness and compassion to others, even those who really don’t deserve it. May you find peace in putting Him first.
He must become greater; I must become less. John 3:30
Yours in Christ,
Clark
