I Could Use Some Guidance 12/9/21

Let's begin with #4 of the topics I posted last night. I stated, "I'm really trying but I could use some guidance." Reflecting on those words, has brought to my attention a personal weakness. It is a weakness that many people suffer, otherwise we wouldn't have so many issues of violence that wreak havoc in our society.

To put it simply, when people treat me in a less that Godly manner, I strike back with similar conduct. Let's face it, being pleasant, kind, giving, and an all-round good person when everyone else is doing their part to maintain the same behavior is easy. However, that is not always going to be the case. Why?

The answer is: We are human. There is no perfect human being. We are all flawed. There are times we believe we are correct, but we have misjudged. There are times when two parties are involved and they have both committed the sin of self-righteousness, sanctimoniousness. I love the term "holier than thou" but in this case that synonym is just too light-hearted.

This sin recently occurred in our home. My step-daughter and I were both in the wrong. We both had expectations of each other that exceeded each of our humanity. Neither of us were completely right or wrong, we were two humans committing the sin of self-righteousness. We fed off each other’s sin like two jackals grappling for the last bite of flesh. It was pathetic.

This epiphany leads me back to my original statement: I'm really trying but I could use some guidance. Let's reflect on that statement. Am I really trying? Yes, in human ways I am trying. However, during those really, really challenging moments in life when I am faced with real or perceived mistreatment from another individual I often fail. I fall back on that reprehensible human sin of self-righteousness. My plea to other humans for guidance was completely foolhardy. There is not one human being alive that can give me the guidance I require.

The only guidance I need and have to accept is the Guidance of God. It is up to me to open my heart, listen and receive His righteousness. This requires setting my ego aside and not acting with human emotion but instead responding with the Grace of God. Being human makes this task challenging, but I will do my best to heed and follow this Bible passage: