Accepting The Truth

I thought this little ditty would be a good start to my article this week. It is titled “Psychiatric Folk Song” written by Anna Russell: “I went to my psychiatrist to be psychoanalyzed; To find out why I killed the cat and blackened my husband’s eye. He laid me on a downy couch to see what he could find; And here’s what he dredged up, from my subconscious mind. When I was one, my mommy hid my dolly in a trunk; And so it follows, naturally, that I am always drunk. When I was two, I saw my father kiss the maid one day; And that is why I suffer from kleptomania. At three I had a feeling of ambivalence toward my brothers; And so it follows, naturally, I poisoned all my lovers. But I am happy now I have learned the lesson this has taught: Everything I do that’s wrong is someone else’s fault!” Is pointing fingers and protesting the “new norm”?

A pencil maker told the pencil five important lessons just before putting it in the box: 1) Everything you do will leave a mark. 2) You can always correct the mistakes you make. 3) What’s most important is what’s inside of you. 4) Throughout your life you will undergo painful sharpening, which will only make you better. 5) To be your very best, you must allow yourself to be held and guided by the hand that holds you. We all need to be constantly sharpened. This parable may encourage you to know that you are a special person, with unique God-given talents and abilities. Only you can fulfill the purpose you were born to accomplish. Never allow yourself to get discouraged and think your life is insignificant and cannot be changed. Like the pencil, always remember the most important part of who you are is what’s inside of you. “The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death” (Proverbs 14:27).

[Acts 7:51-60] Have you ever had a discussion where the truth seemed more confusing than the lie? If you have, you know that awkward, discombobulating feeling that arises because something you have believed for an extended period of time - even a lifetime - has been proven to be false. It can be quit overwhelming. It is natural that our instinctive response is defensive, even hostile. “Who do you think you are?” and “How dare you judge me!” are phrases on the tip of the tongue. In the heat of the moment one might even rationalize, “That can’t be right.” Should one utterly reject the “preposterous idea” while in a “confused” state of mind, or should one recognize this feeling of “confusion” as a mental flag that moves one to openly reconsider a conviction, no matter how deeply held it might be? We often become emotionally attached to what we believe and it is rarely pleasant to be proven wrong. This explains the initial defense response. However, the real quality of a heart is seen after the initial emotional roller coaster ride ends. Will we stay “confused” by the truth or will we embrace it, giving up the lie? We can fear and procrastinate like Felix (Acts 24:24-25). We can shoot the messenger, as we reject “his truth” and “gnash at him with our teeth” (Acts 7:54; 57-58). We can be moved by every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:14-15). We can even remain in a perpetual state of “confusion” and have God reinforce “our lie” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)! On the other hand, we can simply receive the “love of the truth” (Acts 2:29-41). Momentary confusion at having a conviction disproven is understandable. Choosing to reject the truth or remain “confused” is simply inexcusable. Your choice will demonstrate the quality of your heart (Matthew 13:18-23). I cannot change others, But I can change me; I must learn to focus, Being the best I can be. When I change my outlook, And improve through and through; Amazingly I find, That others get better too.