Self examination is not something that comes naturally to all of us. It is much easier to focus on others. Casting blame comes so naturally to us. When my boys were young, both would swear that the other must have written on the wall, or dug into the sheetrock. They knew mom and dad didn’t do it, but neither would look at their own behavior.

In theory as we age, we learn to look at ourselves. We begin to evaluate where we need to make changes, however this happens at varying degrees. Many of us avoid the really hard reflections. We avoid situations that require us to ask for forgiveness. We recoil at facing our emotional fears that hold us back.

⁴¹ “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ⁴² How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. (Luke 6:41-43 NIV).

I was fortunate as a young adult to be conditioned to face the hard emotional issues, to face and own mistakes, and to look back on challenging situations to see what I could do better. Age has taught me this is not universal. Facing painful situations seems easier to stuff deeper within then let out. Long-term this scripture is about our overall health. It is about the condition of our heart. It requires us to grow in the depth and wisdom of God’s love. This comes through the removal of the plank, through self examination.

Are you willing to do some self examination? Are you willing to remove the plank? What is holding you back? Share your experience here and breathe life and bring hope to others.