Faults
“Our worst fault is our preoccupation with the faults of others.” ~ Khalil Gibran
In many ways, humans are very insecure beings. The proof in our insecurity is that we seem to enjoy honing in on the faults of other people. After all, if we can find the fault in others, we can take the focus off of ourselves, at least for a brief time. The only problem with that is that our fault still remains and, in the process, we have agitated someone else by forcing attention onto their faults. We make ourselves feel better at the expense of others. That other person, I can practically guarantee, will not forget what we did.
Wouldn’t it be nice to be remembered for doing good for others, for lifting others up, rather than for tearing others down? Wouldn’t it be nice if someone said of us, “That is a good person?” It can be so, if we just took the time to focus upon the good of others rather than upon the faults of others.
For that matter, it would do us a world of good to focus upon the good within ourselves rather than upon our faults. When we spend too much time focusing upon our faults, we spiral down into negativity. Granted, there are times we must address our faults. But to do nothing but look at our faults is not healthy. That is actually the work of our enemy who wants us to feel out of control.
God does not speak to us every day and tell us how horrible we are. God speaks to us every day and tells us how special we are, how we were made in the image and likeness of God. What a boost to a soul that knowledge can be!
Don’t let your tainted nature drag you down. Instead, rise above it, look for the good that God has put into each and every one of us, and focus on the good and not on the bad.
FAITH ACTION: Ask God for the grace to be less critical of others — and of yourself — today.