What Prevents Us from Facing the Truth about Ourselves?

The majority of individuals know what it’s like to experience the cutting edge of suspicion. It cuts deep and drains the heart of joy and peace. What was once predictable and trustworthy can become inundated with uncertainty, resulting in worry and insecurity.

Behaving in hurtful, reckless ways will bring unimaginable consequences that stress the body and mind. Hosea 8:7 issues this warning: “Sow the wind and reap the whirlwind.” When a relationship is abused through neglect or distrust, the end result will be an empty, hollow life.

Yet, sincerely turning away from sin to face God and the truth brings strength to endure whatever must be faced. God does not desire to punish through the whirlwind, but it’s impossible to prevent consequences from running their course. His forgiveness and mercy replace guilt and the darkness of suspicion and mistrust to make way for a new beginning with God and others.

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Why then should we, mere humans as we are, murmur and complain when punished for our sins? Let us examine ourselves instead, and repent and turn again to the Lord. Let us lift our hearts and hands to him in heaven.

~Lamentations 3:39-41 The Living Bible

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Walk Anew with God

When someone deliberately betrays a friend or loved one, that person is often characterized as unworthy of forgiveness. Genesis gives us a clear picture of betrayal when Cain murdered his brother Abel. Adam and Eve had betrayed God by eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

Samson betrayed his commitment to God by sleeping with Delilah. The strength of the Lord left Samson, yet God did not entirely abandon him. As a blind slave chained to a grinding wheel, Samson had time to think. Even when conditions appear hopeless, God will renew his Spirit within a person when there is recognition and repentance of sin.

God will help us come to ourselves and return to him. Our hope is secured in the grace and mercy of the Lord God. He forgives us and puts away our sins as far as the East is from the West. Our hope is then built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and his righteousness. So seek God with all your heart and begin a new walk with him right now.  

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This is what the Lord says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken!"

~Jeremiah 9:23-24 New Living Translation

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Subscribe to the Attitudes Answers podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear this and other 2-minute features 3 days every week.