Are We In the Habit of Finding Fault?

I think for the most part,  most of us mean well.

Many of us are demanding, selfish and or impatient with others.

I trust we have all said something we wish we could take back,

if pride allows us.

Just how long can you go without finding fault ?

Are you content with your life, or aware of your own faults,

 so much so you can skim over the faults of others?

Faults you may or may not know,

 could stem from something

in that persons life.

Blessed are the merciful, 

for they will be shown mercy.

- Matthew 5:7

I suggest we pause to wonder,

 what might our relationships look like if when someone hurt us, 

rather than finding fault and whining about it we chose to

pray for them?

I forever need to remind myself of how important this scripture is;

Matthew 7:1-5

“Judge not, that you be not judged.² For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.³ Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?⁴ Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye?⁵ You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

Instead of "letting something go" 

(who can say that now and not hear that Frozen song?)

we become all self absorbed, what about me?

This life is not about self, if it were perhaps God would have stopped with Adam. 

We were not intended to do this alone, we are in this together. 

I recently experienced this test, I failed miserably!

 I went immediately to me, my feelings.

I admit it's natural instinct to do so if you are hurt by somone.

There is no denying pain, but there is nothing good to come out of

us thinking its our job to rebuke them for extended periods of time.

We naturally want to make them aware of how badly they have hurt us,

and I believe we should.

 I'm suggesting  we keep in mind, they likely already know it.

So we don't need to drag them through the mud, stomp on them with gritted teeth,

a simple clear "you hurt me" will do.

Please know, 

I'm not saying we don't make someone aware of the hurt they have caused.

I'm suggesting we don't get too self serving in the rebuking!

 A person may be trying to do better, and you may be forgetful of that over 

a missed step on their part. 

 How many steps have you missed lately?

We often feel the need to tell anyone who will listen

about our hurt feelings. It's often out of a need to vent!

People have there own stuff to worry about, they don't need my/your stuff too!

Something to consider?

I know that as a Christian, I should give it to God.

I can steam, whine, be angry and hurt all I want, 

and I did.....

None of which will yield anything positive.

It's not up to me to be the judge and jury and put the rope around the offenders neck..

God will deal with them in his way, according to His plan.

God wants us to focus on the work we need to do within ourselves.

Hurting people, hurt people!

 A reminder I have had  to keep telling myself more times 

than I care to count. But I believe it!

Wouldn't it be great if we could praise someone when our nature tells us to find fault?

To accept the stuff we can't change (though God can) rather than feel the 

need to critique and find fault with everyone around us....

It's a non productive habit finding fault.

It's what we do with it when we catch ourselves doing so 

that matters.

How simple it could become if we just paused long enough to

 reminded ourselves of that big old log in our own eye, huh?

How could it not stop us in our tracks?

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another;

be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.

- 1 Peter 3:8

Praying for those that have hurt us, it has to be more productive.

Give it to God or continue to whine to all who listen ? 

(Even if they don't want to...)

I prefer the audience of One. 

Thankful for the reminder this morning, God.

It's what echos from my heart today.