Americans are stuck in a major blame game, refusing to take responsibility for their part in the nationwide mess. Blaming is counterproductive; nothing is really accomplished. What is productive is seeing that conflict is an opportunity to glorify God and serve others. But we often spend our precious time reading or watching the news media or other sources dig up more dirt to direct our thoughts on who’s to blame.
Blaming is counterproductive
Blaming isn’t working for either side because we stop the virtuous work we have in front of us when we blame. Our eyes are on them and their foolishness. Instead of where God wants us to be, which is to be fully present body, soul, and mind in who He has called us to be today.
Luke 23:34 ESV We need to have an attitude like Jesus did who said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Keep your eyes on your own work
It’s time to keep my eyes on what I’m are supposed to be doing with my time. I need to forgive and move on. Life isn’t going to be perfect. There is worthwhile work to accomplish. But if our eyes are on the people we perceive are causing the problem, then our thoughts are divided.
Viewing this constant blaming game has led me to limit media drastically for 2 months. I want to switch my attention to family and celebrating Jesus. If something happens of significance, my husband or friends will let me know. I’ve been off for more than a week, and I am less stressed. I need to have healing in this area.
Rest during the storm
Jesus worked tirelessly during His time on earth. During his years dedicated to fulfilling God’s Kingdom, he worked. He took rests when He needed to rest.
I heard God whisper to my heart: Things are about to rock the boat. Hold on. Better yet, sleep like I did during the storm. Just take a break and rest. Stay out of the frantic muddling of other people. I’ve got you. I will protect you. Are you close enough to me to be able to trust me so you can lay down and just rest? Shall I close your ears to their frantic yelling? Shall I also close your eyes so you don’t have to see their angry, fearful cries?
Jesus rested during a storm: On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
Then He arose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”
Mark 4:35-40 NKJV (the stern is in the back of the boat)
Do I believe that Jesus can tell us all to go into waters where a storm will brew? Yes. Maybe last time you were that frantic follower saying, “we’re all going to die.” This time you may be ready to just take a nap and rest through the storm just as Jesus did.
In Conclusion
So we have a choice. We can go on blaming the other side, or we could choose to forgive and move on. Let’s keep our eyes on our own work, enjoy this Christmas time and rest when we need to. As a symbol of resting during this storm, I bought a brand new pillow. Every time I lay down to rest, I think of these truthful words in Psalms.
“But you, O Lord, are a shield around me;
you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.
I cried out to the Lord,
and he answered me from his holy mountain.
I lay down and slept,
yet I woke up in safety,
for the Lord was watching over me.
I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies
who surround me on every side.“
Psalm 3:3-6 NLT
I hope these blogs are a blessing to you. I love it when readers reach out to me in some way; either by a comment, like, prayer request, or text. May God bless you during this time we celebrate Jesus.
Kim
God is faithful. I know the end of the story and I know who will carry me there.
You are a blessed woman to know and understand God’s faithfulness.
Truly, I am blessed, even when the way is sometime hard.
True words. The time spent blaming should be used more productively. God bless 🙌 you.
Thank you Beverly. This is what I have learned on a national level since the U.S. is so divided. I think I already understood this on a personal level. Blaming wastes precious time. Thank you for your kind words.
You are welcome 😊
I’m with you! I’m ignoring the world’s chaos and concentrating on Christmas, family, and the coming of our Lord! Thank you for a wonderful post. And I hope you and your family have a blessed Christmas!