How often do we take full responsibility for the unpleasant outcomes in our lives? Not often enough. I suppose it's somehow easier to simply pass the buck, rather than taking ownership of our choices and facing up to our personal inadequacies. Here's why. When there's no one else to blame, it forces us to deal with the reality of our situation and come to grips with everything that's wrong.
Not too many people want to do that. It's easier to remain in denial. But if we ever want to move forward and make true progress, we have to accept responsibility for our actions. We have to stop pointing the finger at everyone else and say, "My fault. I did that. I made that decision. No one made me do that. It was a poor choice, but my choice nonetheless."
Once we come to grips with it, then we can amend our ways and move beyond whatever it is that's been holding us hostage. But if we never get real about it, we'll never do anything about it.
Years ago, my husband was a GED instructor at a not-for-profit program for women. He worked with a group of recovering addicts and ex-convicts; his job was to help them gain an education, and minimize their risk of relapse and recidivism. He would sometimes accompany them to AA and NA meetings to provide moral support.
Well, one evening I tagged along with him to sit in on one of the NA meetings. Each time one of the women would get up, they would say, "Hi, my name is 'Jane Doe' and I'm an addict." And the class would say, "Hi Jane," and begin clapping. I listened as they shared their stories and laid their emotions bare; I was forever impacted by that.
Here's what I gathered from it. Each of those women had to be courageous enough to own up to their addiction... whatever it was. They had to be humble enough, and willing to say, "I have a problem." How many of us are willing to do that?
You see, the admission makes it possible for you to receive help and healing. But God cannot remit what you won't admit. And He cannot help you with what you won't own up to. Today, I want you take a hard look at your life and see what areas are out of balance, and instead of blaming anything or anyone else, take a look in the mirror.
We're not perfect. We all make mistakes. We make bad choices sometimes. But if we're willing to say, "Hey, it's my fault," then we can begin readjusting or behavior, removing ourselves from unhealthy cycles, and realigning our decisions to reflect the will and purpose of God for our lives.
Whether it's sin in our lives, financial mismanagement, poor health choices, or relationship issues, we must be willing to own our contribution to the problem. Once we do this, God can then step in and show us a new and better way.
Because there is one.
Thanks for reading, and until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!
Dianna Hobbs
www.eewmagazine.com
