Meditation for Perfectionists – Wednesday February 12, 2025
Can Black Be White?
Isaiah 5:20: “They say that what is right is wrong, and what is wrong is right; that black is white and white is black, bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter” (TLB).
“What do you mean I’m addicted to working and doing?” countered my friend. “I don’t think so.”
She had worked a sixty-five hour week, accepted additional projects at the office, and agreed to chair a new task force at church. But we had not had time “just as friends” for months. The Bible study time we once enjoyed together was now non-existent. Similar to the situation in Isaiah, my friend insisted that black was white and sour was sweet. She was an expert at convincing herself that “all is well.” Loved ones stood by and wondered how this previously rational woman could be so confused.
We hurt ourselves and others when we pretend that our obsessive performance behavior and work addiction is healthy. This “socially accepted” lifestyle hinders our physical, mental, social and spiritual growth.
Life will be more rewarding and balanced when we admit that black cannot appear white, sour will never taste sweet, wrong can never be right, and tranquility cannot exist with drivenness and work addiction. Sometimes we have to admit the bad news before the good news can emerge. We can change.
Lord, show me
where I’m insisting
black is white.
Copyright Joan C. Webb
For more from Joan Webb visit www.joancwebb.com