The Rhythm of Looking Within

We judge each other on looks, appearances, character traits, status, preferences, life choices, relationship choices, parenting techniques, political views, the list is endless – and we often think that our opinion or our judgement has more weight than it really does. 

But when it comes to judging other people for their flaws, or their mishaps in life, it can be really easy to examine others, but at the same time miss our whopping big character flaws and mishaps. 

Jesus warned us against this and encouraged us to ‘look within’.  

“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. 

“And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a plank in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the plank in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the plank in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye. 

(Matthew 7:1-5) 

Jesus is encouraging us to ‘look under the bonnet of our lives’. We need to have a rhythm of looking within, where we take the time to make sure that we’re aware of our blind spots, that we know what pressure is being put on our weaknesses, that we’re aware of our shadows, and to keep in check those hidden temptations, frustrations and sins.  

If we neglect those things, then the ‘plank’ will grow bigger and our ability to show mercy and forgiveness to others with their ‘specks’ will grow smaller.  

Three simple ways to grow a rhythm of looking within: 

ASK GOD – ASK YOURSELF – ASK OTHERS  

1. ASK GOD 
    
   A great starting place is to ask our Creator, the one who already knows everything about us, who knows our innermost thoughts and desires. Try praying through these verses from Psalm 139:23-24 (the Message Version) 
    
   Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I’m about; See for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong—then guide me on the road to eternal life. 
    

2. ASK YOURSELF 
    
   Try asking yourself these questions (suggested by Pete and Geri Scazzero in their Emotional Health resources): 
    
   What are you mad about? What are you sad about? What are you anxious about? What are you glad about? 
    
   These questions will help you as you look within, and they’ll reveal things that you need to work on with God (as we mentioned previously), and potentially with others… 
    

3. ASK OTHERS 
    
   Disclaimer: be wise and careful who you do this with… make sure it’s with people who are out for your good, who won’t judge you, and who love you enough to speak the truth in love – and to help you!  
    
   This might be with a close friend, through a connect group, or with a trained counsellor. However you do it, it can be life giving as you look within to deal with the plank in your eye, and to journey this through with safe people.  

Questions: 

1. What do you think a judgmental mindset reveals about you?  

2. What does it look like to fill your mind with God’s mercy and forgiveness? What will be the effects of doing this in your life? 

3. How can you grow in the rhythm of looking within? What will be the benefits of doing this?