Blind Spots

“Brothers and sisters, even if a person is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself so that you are not tempted as well.” Galatians 6:1 NASB

“A crisis is made by men, who enter into the crisis with their own prejudices, propensities, and predispositions. A crisis is the sum of intuition and blind spots, a blend of facts noted and facts ignored.”
― Michael Crichton, The Andromeda Strain

Blind spots. We all have them. Others see ours easily. We see theirs. We all excuse or deny them. Someone calculated the average person has 3.4 blind spots. Oh! How they cause so much destruction in ourselves, others, and the abundant life we seek.

Poor self-esteem. It is tough to admit but poor self-esteem causes poor choices in relationships, careers and healthy living.

Shame. This one may cause isolation, arrogant behavior (hard to believe, I know), and addictions to soothe shameful feelings.

Denial. The Queen of Denial, we’ve heard the Queen expression many times. “I don’t drink, spend, cuss as much as…”

Entitlement. The “I deserve this” attitude. No, we don’t. We deserve an honest wage for honest work but most of the things we think we deserve like fairness are not available here on Earth. We try to accomplish this but sometimes it doesn’t pan out.

Resentment. Envy, comparing, holding on to wrongs imagined or realized. Resentment is the tool we use to wound ourselves. It does nothing to the person we resent.

What to do? Repent. It is an ancient, Biblical word that means change your mind, turn around. Feelings of contrition, guilt, fear, and regrets usually are part of repentance. The Bible contains people who resisted repentance starting with Adam and Eve. They blamed the serpent, and God and Adam blamed Eve. Consider the outcome if Adam and Eve owned their behavior, “I’m sorry, God.” When we don’t repent, we miss the beauty of repentance: reconciliation. Throughout the Bible and daily life, when someone repents, their lives become an inspiring story of victory and humility. Not overnight, perhaps, but it comes. How many addicts committed to repentance, sobered up, and became examples of compassion, strength and truth? I’ve seen marriages healed, including my own, because the couple committed to repentance, turned toward the Father, and changed their behaviors. We desperately need repentance today.

Musings

“What we avoid will tyrannize.”Think of Cain and Abel. Think of addictions. Think of multiple divorces.Bankruptcies. We must turn around and let the Father put us back onto the road of reconciliation, mercy, compassion and growth.

Prayer

Dear Father,

Thank you for repentance that restores us into right relations with You and others. It humbles, educates, and brings us closer to You. We can accept our blind spots when we consider how very much You love us through our Advocate, Jesus.

Amen.