A Look in the Mirror (Daily Refresh, 2-04-26)

As humans, our default setting isn’t exactly selflessness. We often judge ourselves by our intentions, but judge others by their actions. We can be quick to accuse without first looking in the mirror. 

But Jesus calls us to live differently:

“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.”
Matthew 7:12 NLT

Often referred to as the “golden rule,” it’s a brilliant litmus test for discerning how to respond to people in the face of hardship, uncertainty, and pain. 

Here are some ways we can apply this verse to our daily lives:

WHEN SOMEONE HURTS YOU…

Think: Have you ever hurt someone, either accidentally or intentionally? And when the mistake was made or realized, did you want to be screamed at and given a harsh consequence, or did you long for grace and a second chance? 

To the extent that we forgive, we are forgiven. So what if, today, we give others the same grace, compassion, and mercy that we’d like to receive?

WHEN SOMEONE IS STRUGGLING…

When you personally experience hardships, you might seek counsel from a pastor or mentor, but you probably also want a friend who will listen and help you process. You want someone to come alongside you who can handle your honest thoughts, and help you navigate the hurt in this world. 

Just as we need people to encourage us, we are also called to be that source of support to others. So today, consider what you can do to point people to God’s love and truth. 

WHEN SOMEONE HAS ANNOYED YOU…

People can be irritating at times. But if you’re ever considered an annoyance by somebody else, would you rather that person talk bad about you, or have patience with you? We are all works in progress and are all called to show mercy and grace. 

So this week, when you’re tempted to lash out at someone requiring a little “extra” of you, or dismiss someone who’s getting on your last nerve, consider asking yourself: If I were them, what would I want? 

If we want to live like Jesus, we need to do what He asks of us. And Jesus explained a key mindset in following Him—to treat others how you want to be treated.

My Thoughts

The practical advice in this devotional really spoke to me in all of the places that I needed a big reprimand. The devotional is exactly correct. I let myself slide, thinking to myself, “Well, I meant well.” But I hold others to the letter of what my expectations were. For example, in the middle of the cold wave, the heat duct in our bedroom stopped warming the room. Instead it was sending out a blast of cold air. My husband couldn’t get under our house to check things out until it was drier and at least a little warmer, so he went outside on Monday. He was there for several hours and when he came back in, he said he fixed the crossover but didn’t get to our bedroom. What?!? That’s the only room in the house without the heat working and it has been going down to the 50’s there at night. I was irate and more than a little flabbergasted that he worked on every vent except the one not working right. I let him know exactly how I felt, using the phrase that “I wish I were his renter because then it would be fixed.” Yesterday, I had to repent. We had to go to two of my medical appointments and Harry was tiptoeing lightly around me, not knowing if I was going to explode again or not. He did explain that that part of the house is more difficult for him to reach and in order to work there, he has to prepare the ground, make it lower and then try to work on the insulation and vent. All in continued cold conditions and with the ground very wet still since I’ve continues to cover the yard. I told him that I understood and that he needed to get to it on better days, like when Virginia warms up some. Today’s devotional certainly applied to this situation. If I had taken the time to ask Harry why he couldn’t fix the part that he definitely knew needed a repair, I would have found out the truth before I flew out of control at him. I wouldn’t want him to treat me that way, but I neglected to look in the mirror, didn’t I?

Unfortunately, I think that is true of most of us. Remember the Lord said that before we worry about the speck in the other person’s eye, we need to get the log out of our own. My offensive behavior towards my husband was purposeful and hurtful to him. He didn’t mean to upset me; he simply did not have the capability to do that part of the house without additional tools and time that he didn’t have.

I could go on and on with examples of when I needed to extend grace and operated with judgment and little thought or kindness. I would like to say that I have learned my lesson, but I am a work in progress and I know that I will continue to act in ways that are not how I should act. I just pray that this devotional will help remind me to think before I speak and to take a deep breath as I look into my mental mirror. Then, I can hopefully speak in love and not in anger. I am so grateful that God deals with me gently and desires me to grow, not to stay the same.