Is It Possible to Correct Mistakes in Perception?

Mistakes are one of those pesky problems that must be tolerated in others as well as within oneself.  A mistake can be viewed as a learning experience, as an opportunity to correct inappropriate attitudes and refrain from behaviors that have become the source of problems and troubles. Mistakes create embarrassment, frustration, and shame.

When the Prodigal Son returned home a complete failure, his father gave a party to celebrate his son’s safe arrival. His older brother was angry and resentful. He refused to be consoled because he felt betrayed by the father whom he believed showed favoritism and preference for this younger, rebellious brother.

This was a mistake in perception. The father demonstrated exactly what God’s attitude is toward us when we return home to his mercy, unfailing love, and forgiveness. Some people mistakenly believe their sins are so egregious God could never forgive and cleanse them. God’s grace is greater than all our sins.  

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…The more we see our sinfulness, the more we see God’s abounding grace forgiving us.

~Romans 5:20 The Living Bible

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How Do Errors in Judgement Affect Success?

Mistakes are unavoidable, as each person can testify. Bad choices cannot be written off as mistakes, especially when numerous warning signs have been apparent. Bad choices are made when a person is unwilling to listen to the still small voice of God, wise counsel of friends, or the voice of common sense.

When reading the Parable of the Prodigal Son, it’s impossible not to ask, “Could he not tell his funds were diminishing and his friends were vanishing?” Perhaps his immaturity and lack of judgment prevented him from even thinking about the future.  

His attitude may have paralleled so many in our culture today. Jesus faced this attitude from those who were convicted by his teaching and ministry. Their error in judgment eventually led to their downfall, the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, as well as the nation itself. God forgives mistakes and wrong choices where there is acknowledgement and a willingness to change. 

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The Lord our God is merciful, and pardons even those who have rebelled against him.

~Daniel 9:9 The Living Bible

 

So remember the heights from which you have fallen, and repent [change your inner self – your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior – seek God’s will] and do the works you did at first [when you first knew me].

~Revelation 2:5 Amplified Bible

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When Is a Wrong Choice Not a Mistake?

Children and adults often insist that a wrong choice was just a bad mistake. An honest mistake is usually linked to confusion, limited facts, or leaving home before being mature enough to establish proper boundaries. Mistakes encourage you to evaluate choices since a choice can be tantamount to violating your conscience.

The Prodigal Son made several bad choices that proved costly. Leaving home before being mature enough to establish proper boundaries for himself made it possible for him to lose his inheritance by reckless living and bad choices.

His mistake was trusting friends to stick by him when his money evaporated. God’s mercy and kindness allow for immaturity and mistakes as well as bad choices, but still reality has to be faced. When forced to face reality, the Prodigal Son recognized his failures and repented. God gave him hope for the future and a new beginning.           

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You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins. Confess them and give them up, then God will show mercy to you.

~Proverbs 28:13 Good News Bible

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What Lessons Does Experience Teach Us?

There are times when it’s difficult to distinguish if a decision is ill-advised and will evolve into a serious mistake. Making a wrong turn onto a street because of poor visibility can be excused, but choosing to exceed the speed limit in a school zone is not an acceptable mistake.

Choosing is a process of the intellect while a mistake can be attributed to faulty information or confusion. The Parable of the Prodigal Son is packed with issues for today’s believer. This young man chose to demand his inheritance early rather than wait for his father’s death.

The Prodigal Son wasn’t confused or lacking intelligence but was short on experience. To gain the respect of his son, the father permitted him to choose failure but without condemnation. The father’s choice was risky, yet he believed in his son. God permits us to make choices that may result in pain and suffering, but he never gives up on us. 

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If any of you lack wisdom, you should pray to God, who will give it to you; because God gives generously and graciously to all.

~James 1:5 Good News Bible

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What Attitudes Ensure Success?

Mistakes are as much a part of life as are making wise decisions that lead to success and happiness. Of course we would rather fit into the category of those who make choices that ensure success. However, failure can be a wake-up call to make changes and head off a potential crisis.

The Prodigal Son demanded his share of the inheritance early so he could escape the responsibilities of young adulthood. It was his attitude and immaturity that left him vulnerable to failure and the resulting pain and suffering. The tendency toward self-deception doomed the success he envisioned.

As immature as his choices were, his father continued to believe in him. He saw in his son a promising future as he matured. To his credit this young man did not lose sight of the fact that he had a father who loved him and had faith to believe he would return home. God the Father is waiting for you, so ask him to help as you see and accept his purpose for you.                            

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Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life; don’t for a minute lose sight of them. They’ll keep your soul alive and well; they’ll keep you fit and attractive.  

~Proverbs 3:21-22 The Message

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What Prepares Us to Leave Home Permanently?

I love Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son, a story about a young man whose choices resulted in a personal crisis. This young man wanted to be free from all the restraints he believed were keeping him from experiencing the world he imagined was waiting for him. Does this sound familiar?

Most people leave home to go to college, go to work, or get married, but this young man was leaving home with immature objectives. His immaturity blinded him to the realities that awaited him from an assortment of so-called new friends. He had no idea how easily he could be separated from his inheritance.

Wake-up calls come from many sources to help us change what leads to hardships. God does not delight when we fail or when we suffer humiliation. He provides opportunities for us to change the direction our life has taken. So trust in the Lord and do what is right and he will give you the desires of your heart that fit his purpose.        

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Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.

~Proverbs 3:5-6 The Message

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What Commitments Are Required for a Promising Future?

God’s kindness and mercy permit us to make significant changes in our lifestyle to help us escape negative entrapments. Assessing the past helps us address what needs to change to create peace within ourselves and with others. What do you need to change to be more acceptable to others and the Lord Jesus Christ?

This is designed not to question your personal salvation, but character flaws that create trouble and heartache in relationships with God and others. The Prodigal Son was too self-centered and immature to realize he was headed for troubles. He imagined himself to be above reality.

Fortunately, this wayward son was able to conceptualize a new way of living that motivated him to walk away from the hog pen and the attitude that had created his downfall. So wherever you are, why not permit God to give you a clear vision for a future filled with his purpose to which you can commit for the rest of your life?  

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 I ask that your minds be opened to see his light, so that you will know the hope to which he has called you, how rich are the wonderful blessings he promises his people, and how very great is his power at work in us who believe.  

~Ephesians 1:18-19 Good News Bible

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Is It Difficult to Keep Your Love for God Constant?

There are moments in life that provide an opportunity to wipe your slate clean and institute changes centered around an attitude that is  pleasing to God. The Prodigal Son had made a complete mess of his life but decided to pick himself up and make something out of the life God had given him.

He started by permitting himself to conceptualize what was feasible for him to accomplish. He then decided to change his attitude that had produced conflict and alienation. Most would agree that it’s difficult to make healthy changes to keep your thinking and behavior in line with what God will bless.

So what changes in attitude do you need to make that demonstrate you have a clean slate to stand by regardless of the external and internal pressure you encounter to renege on your commitment? Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?” If you ask God to help you love him, your commitment has greater potential for success. Loving God is a choice you can make now.                         

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Jesus said, “’Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list.”

~Matthew 22:37-38 The Message

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Are You Looking for a Fresh Start?

Are you looking for new beginnings in some area of your life? When the Prodigal Son committed himself to a different lifestyle, he sensed this was his only option and that the opportunity otherwise would be lost forever. Do you need to ask, “What do I need to change so I will be blessed and accepted by God?”

A fresh start doesn’t mean forgetting regretful choices and behaviors. It does require changing your attitude and imposing self-control in places detrimental to yourself and others. The Prodigal Son changed from being a pompous brat who confessed, “I’ve made a fool of myself and failed completely, but I’ve learned my lesson.”

He learned to value life and how to be sincerely humble. This paved the way for acceptance and forgiveness to be received. It also paved the way for a new beginning and hope for a life absent of guilt and shame. If this is your heart’s desire, God will help you change and succeed.                    

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Your beginning may be small, but later years will be very great.
~Job 8:7 International Standard Version

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Transformation? Praise, Don't Pout!

In the story of the Prodigal Son the father decided to acknowledge the demands of his younger son and give him his inheritance so he could leave home. The father yielded, knowing that the immaturity of his son could lead to disaster. The father was wise enough to know if he held on to his son, he would not have his son's commitment to lead a productive life. This son not only lost his inheritance but also came close to losing his life.

 

          When the son returned home broke, sick and ashamed, the father saw that a transformation had taken place. Gone were the arrogance, the self-centeredness and "I don't need you" attitude. Now there were humility, a sense of gratitude and a true repentant heart.

          The older brother refused to celebrate the transformation of his younger sibling. He chose to be angry and pout. Anger’s message in the older brother was, “All I’ve done is work to please my father and it means nothing to him.” The father's response to the transformation was like the angles who rejoice when a sinner repents and returns to God.

Why Anger?

Anger always has a message and a goal. Benjamin Franklin surmised that anger is never felt without a reason. When the older brother in the parable of the Prodigal Son became angry with his father for giving an extravagant party for the returning younger brother, he felt his anger was justified.

The father's efforts to console the older brother were brushed off. Listen to the father's appeal: "Your brother was dead but is now alive; he was lost but is now found." Still his anger could not be appeased. "I've always been responsible. I obeyed your every command, yet you never once gave me a party."

Anger’s underlying message was, “You love my brother more than me.” Anger's message rarely gets an in-depth examination of a situation because it blurs our vision and limits our range of hearing. The older brother could have asked, "What does my father see in my younger brother that I cannot see? What will I lose by remaining angry?" May God help you ask similar questions when you’re angry.  

Celebrate or Excommunicate?

Have you noticed how anger can be detrimental to achieving a worthy goal? Anger has the capacity to surface with minimal prompting. The father of the prodigal son was so thankful to see his son alive that he called for an all-out celebration, proclaiming, “My son was dead but is now alive, was lost but is now found!”

The older brother would have nothing to do with the celebration. His anger was directed toward his brother for coming home alive, and he was even angrier with his father for treating this irresponsible son as a prince. Visualize the father running down the road to greet his son with hugs and kisses, then ordering a prime rib beef dinner to celebrate.

When the older brother learned of the joyful celebration, he was angry to the depths of his being. The goal of his anger was to spoil his father's joy because the father refused to disown his wayward son and excommunicate him from the family. God’s command is, “Be angry, but do not sin.” Anger always has a reason, but it may not be a good one.

Melting Stone-Cold Attitudes, Ideas, and Hearts - Part 3

How important are other people's opinions to you? There are individuals  who will never be swayed by what others think or believe. Then there are those whose lives hinge on other people's opinions. Fortunately, most people will consider what others say and then make an independent decision.

The older brother in Jesus' story of the lost son was emotionally locked into an inflexible way of thinking. To him, his younger brother made a choice that forever separated him from the privileges and rights of belonging to the family. To him, it was incomprehensible that his brother could come home and be embraced as an important family member.

The older brother's indignation kept him from celebrating his brother's homecoming. He appeared incapable of feeling empathy for his brother or father. Empathy clears the way for understanding what's important to another person. Empathy encourages you to walk with someone through a troubled or a happy occasion. God's love and redemption can melt a heart of stone and clear the way for compassion.  

Melting Stone-Cold Attitudes, Ideas, and Hearts - Part 2

In the parable of the prodigal son, Jesus teaches that God's love and mercy extend to undeserving people. This idea collides with the Jewish belief that God's love was reserved only for the Hebrew people. They made their theology fit into a rigid social and religious belief system that could not be altered.

God revealed himself to the Jewish people so they could be witnesses of his love to all humanity. God told them they were indeed their brother's keeper and responsible to God for their attitudes and behaviors. When the older brother in the parable witnessed his father extend acceptance to his undeserving brother, it was more than he could manage.

Another teaching from this parable is, never devote your life to what is transitory, for it cannot guarantee acceptance into God's eternal presence. Jesus encourages us to store up treasures in heaven where their value will never diminish. When kindness and love are given to those who are undeserving, treasures accumulate into a heavenly account just for you.

Never Too Late to Change - Part 3

The parable of the prodigal son portrays a father vigilantly waiting for his lost son to come home. When this wayward son came into view, the father ran to meet him. The Living Bible tells us the father was "filled with loving pity and ran to hug and kiss his son." This father never gave up on his independent, self-indulgent, defiant son.

This father had the right to be angry and hurt. He could have said, "You're a disgrace to the family. You're not welcome here so keep on walking. I will not rescue you from the mess you've made of your life." These words would portray a father who refused to trust or forgive his son for the pain and suffering he caused.

However this man had already forgiven his son since a father's love is not dependent on whether his children are successes or failures. The father's faith never lost sight of the young man's potential, so he could encourage him to live up to that potential. God encourages us to model the father's faith and choices to forgive and renew trust.

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Never Too Late to Change - Part 2

Come with me for a moment and visualize the scene of a wayward son returning home. Imagine the joy his father feels when he sees his strong-willed son walking toward the house and wondering what kind of reception awaits him. This father had permitted his immature son to leave home with his inheritance and dreams that would result in abysmal failure.

After talking with his son, the father detected a radical change in his son's attitude that inspired him to shout with joy, "This son of mine was dead and is alive. He was lost and is found." A man separated from his wife said he was willing to work toward reconciliation when he detected in his wife something that gave him hope for a new beginning.

Everyone is capable of dying emotionally to another person or even God when joy no longer exists in a relationship. If this is your situation, the Lord Jesus Christ is waiting and watching for your return. Jesus will eagerly receive you back as a faithful son or daughter and restore the joy of your salvation. 

Never Too Late to Change - Part 1

The experiences of life, both positive and negative, work together to shape what we believe and how we behave. God designed us for growth, maturity, and change. An eighty-four year old woman proudly stated, "I'm still learning and changing." What we know and believe provides meaning and purpose to life.

When the prodigal son chose to go home and face his family, his attitude and mind-set had changed. His experience in the pig pen reshaped his entire belief system. He left home with an attitude of arrogance but returned with humility. Arrogance portrays false confidence. Humility reveals an attitude of flexibility, readiness to learn, and willingness to be transformed.

The father was so delighted to have his son back home that he celebrated by giving him a robe and ring and by throwing him a huge party. The pig pen experience helped the young man accept his father's love and generosity. This parable illustrates God's attitude toward us when we repent and return to him. 

Rising Up, Finding Hope - Part 3

Unexpected turns in life add spice to daily routines. However too much spice and rapid change can be disorienting and overwhelming. Imagine the young man in Jesus' parable of the lost son leaving home to find his bliss. He had plans and a pocket full of money. Yet he ended up in poverty, feeding hogs.

He was naive and spent his inheritance on his so-called friends and reckless living. Yet in the depths of personal crisis he demonstrated a sensibility  that allowed him to make a good choice. He stood up to failure and got his life back on track. The sensibility he possessed was faith in his father's compassion, love, and integrity.

If you're arrogant and hold out for everything, you may walk away with nothing. This young man returned home with an attitude of a servant. His arrogance had changed to humility. The right attitude for God to assist you in making effective choices is found in Psalm 29:9. "He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way." This can be your choice.  

Come Out of the "Pig Pen": Rethink Your Choices - Part 3

The parable of the prodigal son is appealing because most everyone can identify with his dilemma. Our society requires that we grow up and become independent. Although this is a natural process, it's not always simple or easy. Some young people make several attempts before succeeding. Leaving home can propel a young person into an uncertain future.

The young man in Jesus' parable made serious mistakes that left him in despair. Remarkably, he didn't blame others for his failure. Nor did he try to rationalize or justify his immaturity, poor judgments, or bad behavior. To justify or rationalize means to absolve oneself of blame in order to be free of responsibility for personal choices.

The prodigal son reframed who he could be and thus freed himself to crawl out of the pig pen of failure. Reframing is the ability to put reality into an acceptable mental, spiritual, and emotional context so positive change can be activated. Christ Jesus stands at the door of your situation prepared to help you make life-changing decisions, so why not invite him to do so?

Come Out of the "Pig Pen": Rethink Your Choices - Part 2

I heard a story about a man who wanted to quit the Mafia. He became convicted of his sins after accepting Jesus as Lord of his life, but you just can't say good-bye to the Mafia. A contract was issued to kill him. However the contract became invalid when the Don who issued the contract was assassinated. His mother's prayers helped him reframe his past choices.

This man had the ability to understand what's important and find the will to make needed changes. He could not balance being a Christian with continuing to work for the Mafia as a criminal. Reframing allowed him to make a significant shift in what is valued, in what it actually means to serve Christ Jesus with every aspect of his life.

The prodigal son made that shift. He knew where he belonged. For this rebellious young man, a crisis threatened his life that forced him to see clearly who he was and what he needed to do. Reframing puts into perspective the fact that God is waiting for you to come to yourself and make the decisions that will lead you back to him.