Have you ever noticed how quick we are to point out the sins of others, while conveniently ignoring our own? Jesus compares that to a huge plank jutting out of our eye while we fixate on the tiny speck in someone else’s. He calls us to deal honestly with our own sin first, inviting Him to expose and remove our blind spots. Only then will we see clearly enough to help another person. After all, when we stumble, we long for grace, not harsh judgment, so Jesus urges us to treat those who have fallen with that same generous measure. Are you wiling to lay down the gavel and show grace instead?
The Transforming Power of Thankfulness
What if the very thing you’re holding onto—your fear, your pain, your sense of lack—is the one thing keeping you from God’s best? You may be quick to thank God for your blessings, but what about your battles? Jesus gave thanks for a handful of loaves and fish before they became a feast. He gave thanks the night He was betrayed, knowing agony lay ahead. Gratitude, even for the hard things, doesn’t deny the difficulty; it declares God’s power over it. It loosens the grip of anxiety, frees you from despair, and opens the door for God to transform you in ways beyond your imagination. Will you dare to trust Him and give thanks, even in the midst of your struggles?
