From the Bible in One Year plan for 2021, from Nicky Gumbel, on the YouVersion bible app – today’s focus, day 21, is on being honest with God and he opens with a reflection of the Oxford dictionary choosing ‘Post-Truth’ as the word of the year for 2016.
Anyone who knows me, knows I would be triggered! 😣 pay close attention.
He writes: “In a ‘Post-Truth’ era, objective facts appear less influential than appeals to emotion. There is a tolerance for dishonest, inaccurate allegations, and outright denial of facts. Blatant lies become routine.”
This is where Western culture has been trending after Brexit and the US Presidential debates between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. I would say that we have not changed this tolerance for dishonesty… inaccurate allegations… denial of facts… and blatant lies in the last four years.
Gumbel also writes: “We hunger for honesty and truth; because God hates lies and deception.”(Psalm 12:2 Matthew 15:8.)
PREACH!!!! I feel the lack of integrity in our world systems today, whether they are health care, government, communications, technology, economic systems, employment, education, or even entertainment… is resulting in the chaos we are seeing on the personal, family, community, and national levels. These are real tangible results: suicide, depression, anxiety, animosity, loneliness, homelessness, divorce, violence, murder, destruction of property, disrespect, and an overall devaluing of others.
We have become unkind.
I read another gem today from a YouVersion plan called, ‘Dealing with Uncertainty‘:
“Feelings of uncertainty can result in the prefrontal cortex in your brain “shutting down”: impairing your ability to solve problems, pay attention, and stay flexible. This increases your chances of engaging in irrational behavior and makes you more prone to anxiety, depression, and stress.”
(For more info, here’s a scientific source that has more details.)
We have no margin for anyone else’s faults and we do not see our own.
When we can’t forgive others, it’s because we never saw the need for our own forgiveness. In other words, when we refuse to humble ourselves and see our own faults that is the only time we can learn to love God for all that He has forgiven in us. When we can do that, we can extend that same forgiveness to others – that is how we Love God and Love Others. In other, other words ☺when we can’t forgive others we are exalting ourselves as the model for others to look to. When they don’t, can’t, or won’t comply – we dismiss them. We judge them.. and why not, when we have just made ourselves God. 😲
Get the plank out. (Matthew 7:3-5 Or, as more modern writers have rephrased Jeremiah 5:21 There are none so blind as those who will not to see.)
I can’t change anyone else’s heart, only God can. And He will if you let Him. For now all I can do is pray Psalm 12 over my friends, my family, my nation, and the rest of humanity.
