#506a Proper Use of limitation, A Call For Balance
Self evaluation can be vital or destructive to our spiritual lives.
Intense self-judgment, overly intense self-judgment literally tends to “lock down” logical brain function and hinders clear thinking: Judgment that exaggerates the problem so that the fault is all that we see, overly intense judgment that creates hopelessness and discouragement is not the intention of our Heavenly Father. Isaiah 57:15 WEB
For thus says the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
"I dwell in the high and holy place,
with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit,
to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite.”
Sometimes past experiences have created a shame-reflex in our thinking and reactions,
and that shame can become the default reaction and it can be hard to get beyond it. Or we may have a protective shell that keeps us safe from being hurt.
Rigorous honesty is necessary in all cases! Psalm 51:1-6,7-12 1 Corinthians 11:31-32
It is all part of the ‘moving forward’ process of sanctification.
The sign of a mal-function in our self-assessment can be if we get stuck in discouragement in that process or if we minimize and remain avoidant and unaffected in the process.
His desire is that we develop an appropriate perspective of balance in our judgments.
Some of us tend to take things to lightly, and some of us too seriously, or we can be a combination. The challenge is not to take Divine correction and its necessity too lightly or too seriously. “…Perhaps you lost sight of that piece of advice which reminds you of your sonship in God: My son, regard not lightly the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art reproved of him; For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth ever son whom he receiveth.
Bear what you have to bear as ‘chastening’—as God’s dealing with you as sons. No true son ever grows up uncorrected by his father. “ Hebrews 12:5-7 Phillips
Knowing Their depth of love for us and Their complete understanding can awaken us to balance, to take our realization of the need for correction and training seriously and sincerely, open and eager for each next exercise to develop that spiritual muscle memory.
Each of us can pray in gratitude: You understand me thoroughly. You are willing to winnow and cleanse my deepest issues. Psalm 139:1-3
“Behind and before hast thou hedged me in…” (Leeser)
We are completely besieged and surrounded by This love, power and providence. Such knowledge is too wonderful and remarkable to me, it is too high, beyond what I can imagine or think. Psalm 139:5-6; Ephesians 3:16-21
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