Today’s Daily Light

Continuing in ‘The Search For Significance’ by Robert McGee

Turning on the Light of Objectivity

 

Many of us are hurt emotionally, relationally, and spiritually, but because we are unaware of the extent of our wounds, we don’t take steps toward healing and health.  Our problem is not stupidity but a lack of objectivity.  Because of this, we fail to see the reality of pain, hurt, and anger in our lives.

…we experience deep loneliness and seething resentment…or…true happiness eludes us no matter how we achieve or succeed…or…we are unable to receive love from those nearest us….or…we don’t understand how to fully apply the teaching of Scripture to our life and relationships to achieve the peace and joy that God promises to give…

Why do some of us lack objectivity?  Why can’t we see the reality in our lives?  Why are we afraid to turn on the light?  There are a number of answers to these questions, and they vary for each person. Perhaps we feel that our situations are ‘normal,’ that experiencing loneliness, hurt, and anger is really all there is to life.  Perhaps we want to be ‘good’ Christians, and believing that good Christians don’t have problems or feelings like ours, we deny the existence of our emotions.  Perhaps our lack of objectivity is learned response from childhood.

We all develop elaborate defense mechanisms to block pain and gain significance.  (Some of such mechanisms are:)  We suppress emotions; we are compulsive perfectionists; we drive ourselves to succeed, or we withdraw and become passive; we attack people who hurt us; we punish ourselves when we fail; we try to say clever things to be accepted; we help people so that we will be appreciated; and we say and do countless other things.

A sense of need usually propels us to look for an alternative.  We may have the courage to examine ourselves and may desperately want to change but may be unsure of how and where to start.  We may refuse to look honestly within for fear of what we’ll find, or we may be afraid that even if we can discover what’s wrong, nothing can help us.

It is difficult–if not impossible–to turn on the light of objectivity by ourselves.  We need guidance from the Holy Spirit and usually the honesty, love, and encouragement of at least one other person who is willing to help us.   Many of us bear the scars of hurts and pain from the imperfections of others…but all of us bear the effects of our own sinful nature.  Whether our hurts are deep or relatively mild, it is wise to be honest about them in the context of affirming relationships so that healing can begin.

The Lord desires truth and honesty at the deepest level ‘so that’ we can begin to experience His love, forgiveness, and power in all areas of our lives.

God is for us and not against us….He alone is the source of us finding our deepest significance.   (con’t tomorrow)

Psalm 139:23-24   NIV      Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way of everlasting.

Father..I pray for all of us as we come to see that YOU desire for us to have our ultimate ‘significance’ in YOU.   Thank you for how you see us…and how you love us.   Amen