“Why do you notice the little piece of dust in your friend’s eye, but you don’t notice the big piece of wood in your own eye? First, take the wood out of your own eye. Then you will see clearly to take the dust out of your friend’s eye.” Matthew 7:3,5 (NCV)
When we struggle in relationships, it is always easy to see how it is the other person’s fault. If only they didn’t say that. If only they had done something else instead. But we rarely want to look at our role in the problems in the relationship. We would rather blame others than take blame for ourselves.
We need to take time to find our role in the problems we are facing. Do we constantly speak harshly to the person? Do we not show them how much we appreciate them? Do we take them for granted? Do we expect them to meet our needs and at the same time we ignore their needs? It is time to get the wood out of our own eye first.
Prayer:
God, thank you for reminding me of the role I play in the problems in my relationships. I ask that You open my eyes to see what problems I am creating. Help me to know what I should do differently. Help me to get the wood out of my own eyes. In Jesus’ name. Amen.