Meditation for Perfectionists – Thursday January 23, 2020
Removing the Blinders
Proverbs 20:9: “Who can say, ‘I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin’?”
Recently I overheard a mother say to her young child, “I know Mommy got angry with you this morning. But it wasn’t my fault, was it?”
Dutifully the little boy responded, “No.”
“You forgot your lunch and left your bed unmade, so mommy had to get mad, right?”
Some of us try to maintain an inner equilibrium of thinking and reacting correctly. We dare not allow ourselves to feel guilt when we behave in a way that goes against our “I-must-be-right” code, so we transfer the shame to “willing” others. We usually are not aware that we do this, nor are we aware how our subtle blaming damages another.
We may admit our shortcomings, but only in safe areas, when it does not shake our precarious self-esteem. We do everything possible to keep our weaknesses a secret, even from ourselves. As long as we can blame others for our faults, we remain blind to our need for God’s help. However, God can and will show us the truth about ourselves, others and himself, if we ask him to. Living honestly before others and God will help us develop a sense of self-worth and strengthen our relationships.
Lord, remove my blinders
and help me accept the truth about myself.
Copyright Joan C. Webb
For more from Joan Webb visit www.joancwebb.com
