Blind spots. We all have them. However, by their very nature, they are imperceptible. Therefore, we often forget that we do indeed have weaknesses we cannot see. How easy it is to see the blind spots of others! How glaringly obvious they seem to us, when our own are nearly undetectable!
I read a funny story that illustrates this principle in a delightful way. I know you’ll enjoy it too:
“One day a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother had several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast upon her brunette head. She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, ‘Mom, why are some of your hairs white?’
‘Well’, her mother replied, ‘every time that you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white.’
The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and then said, ‘Momma, how come all of Grandma’s hairs are white?’”*
This lighthearted anecdote is a spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go down, so to speak. Daddy God wants us to remember, when others’ shortcomings seem obnoxiously noticeable, that He has pardoned us from hell itself. Before opening our mouths to correct those around us for their mistakes, let’s let Him do His work deep in our core.
Every day, He has growth steps for us to walk through. If we listen in, He will lovingly lead us through each one. Little by little, His radical transformation of our lives will cultivate in us genuine humility. This will create a legitimate place from which we will be able to help others with their own struggles. As we submit ourselves to His continual pruning and purifying, from a clean heart we will be able to gently assist those around us in their development.
Where to start? If you are having trouble identifying the areas in your life needing His intervention, here is a wonderful prayer to pray: “Who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults” (Ps. 19:12, NIV). And then you can add, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Ps. 139:23-24, NIV).
Father, You are the One who makes the blind to see! Please show me my blind spots. Open my eyes to what I cannot perceive, and empower me to walk in Your paths of compassion and kindness!
*Worthy Brief – February 6, 2018, http://www.worthynetwork.com
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Has Holy Spirit empowered you to grow in compassionate towards other people’s weaknesses and struggles? If so, do you have any insights to add on this subject, from your journey?
Great post and good reminder that we are always quick to see flaws in others and overlook them in us.
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Thank you so much! By the way, what name do you like to go by on here?
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Perth Girl
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Okay, thanks! 🙂
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Agreed
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🙂 🙂
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Great insight. Thanks.
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You are welcome CG, and thank you too!
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Beautiful. Thank-you. I love the funny picture. It was appropriate for this post. Let us pray that the Lord will give us the grace to see our blind spots.
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😀 I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Yes and amen to that prayer. Open our eyes, Father!
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Thanks for the reminder. Interesting translation – what is the tPt?
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You are welcome, Ann :). It’s a newer translation that I’m quite fond of. The Passion Translation.
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I’ve learned that everyone has a backstory, a reason (even beyond our sin nature) for their visible flaws – especially kids! That helps a great deal in dealing with people and trying to be empathetic.
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Goodness, I can’t overstate how extremely important that perspective is. Lord, always help us remember this! A wonderful insight, thank you Meredith. ❤
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I have heard it said, that often that which we see in others as offensive, is present in our own lives. I for one can claim this to be true. Forgive me Lord and open my eyes to witness the image of God You have place in each of us. Len W.
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Yes! Which reminds me of this verse: Rom 2:1-2
You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.
NIV
Thank you for bringing up such an important point for this discussion! We all need His grace and mercy on this!
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He continues to scantify me and show me my shortcomings. This really touched my heart. Ty
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That’s beautiful. My spirit rejoices to read your words, dear Bonnie. Thank you too ❤
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Amen! Very true. Daily I pray that prayer to my Father. Day by day he’s chipping off the old nature of sin from our life’s and I just bless Him for all that he is doing & will do! Blessings, grace & peace to you sis! 🙂
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Thank you, Tammy! I receive them gratefully! And I am right there with you, so thankful for His faithfulness! His richest blessings to you 🙂 ❤
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You’re most welcome my dear 🙂 very good sis! Amen! Yes! Amen! Thank you, fully received in Jesus name! ❤ blessings!
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❤ ❤ ❤
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When we come to the Lord with a contrite heart, as David did, and ask Him to show us what HE SEES !! He allows us to see His work in progress…NO flaws, just what is perfect in the blood of Jesus. Leonard W.
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That is such a wonderful key, Len. To ask Him for His way of seeing the ones He loves so much. Thank you!
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Thank you. Indeed I do believe the blind spots and flaws in each one is why the Holy Spirit must play such a significant part in our Christ Life. He knows our innermost faults and ever points us to Christ and the Cross for forgiveness. Blessings. Your story and your insights are PROFOUND and great.
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Your insight here is so key, Faye. We are lost without the Holy Spirit’s help, guidance, conviction, empowering, and sanctification! Thank you! 🙂 🙂
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