Deal With Your Blind Spots
ICS Daily Devotions
Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
If we want to have good interpersonal relationships and enjoy the abundant life, we must identify our blind spots and be willing to make changes.
One possible blind spot is our core values and motivations. Do you sometimes act in ways that contradict your stated values? Do you know what truly drives you to seek the approval of others? Why do you fear failure and desire control?
As believers, the only person we should strive to please is God by seeking Him first in our lives. Our priority should be God, followed by family, then career. We should aim to live out His plan and calling for us and live a consecrated life.
For example, some people may still seek their parents’ approval and validation because they were neglected and not favoured among their siblings while growing up. Unknowingly, what truly drives and motivates them is to gain their validation. Rejection has caused insecurity in them. Many from wealthy families carry a chip on their shoulder. What motivates them is to prove their worth to their parents, but children of businessmen may not necessarily have good business acumen. This may make them vulnerable to unprofitable ventures or even scams.
The fear of men and the need for approval stem from our insecurity. Those who are insecure will trample on others with their words and actions to make themselves look good. What they do might not be righteous or just, but they are blinded by the need to appear successful and achieve success. These people need to seek God, His kingdom, and His righteousness first.
Another potential blind spot concerns our emotional triggers and responses. They are hidden sensitivities or unresolved past experiences that cause disproportionate emotional reactions which we don’t understand, such as criticisms that shut us down, or specific situations that cause intense anxiety or anger in us.
If we have unresolved past experiences, emotional baggage will pop open. Anger, frustration, and verbal abuse will happen when similar people, personalities, situations, and circumstances appear. It can be our blind spot because others will see the problem, but we don’t.
Matthew 5:44 (NKJV) But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
Some people may have been raised by parents who were highly critical and never satisfied with them, or they might have had traumatic encounters with strong personalities who were confrontational, leaving emotional scars by making them feel small and worthless. This can make them uncomfortable with confrontation and in antagonistic environments.
However, we can give our past hurts and pain to the Lord and choose to forgive those who have hurt us by praying to release them. We need to have our identity in Christ so that we can better manage our emotions in this fallen and broken world. This will enable us to have good interpersonal relationships and experience the abundant life.
Sermon Series: Do You Have A Blind Spot in Your Life
