The Blame Game

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March 28, 2008 The Blame Game By Robert H. Schuller "Then the Lord God asked the woman, 'What have you done?' And she replied, 'The serpent deceived me . . . that's why I ate it.'" Genesis 3:13 (NLT) Blame aimed anywhere is debilitating and will ravage your spirit. I've already mentioned that blame turned inward is shame. This destructive reaction to disappointment and tragedy can be remedied with a heavy dose of tender-loving care – from yourself, your friends, your family, your pastor and a counselor. Blame turned outward – at the world, at neighbors, at parents, children, your employer, the government, God – is equally destructive. "My mother made me do it." "They had no business shutting the business down." "The doctors didn't care. They were negligent. They should have caught it sooner." "It's my husband's fault. I told him – but would he listen to me?" Phrases that include catch words such as, "fault, blame, if only, should have," reveal that a person is caught in the game of blame and shame. They are ensnared by an attitude of fault-finding. Whose fault is it anyway? Is it really anybody's? Who's right? Who's wrong? Is anybody ever ALL right? Is anybody ALL wrong? And in the final analysis, does it really matter? Of course, it is important to strive for excellence. But the truth of the matter is that none of us will be perfect. All of us will make mistakes. We all do things our own way, which translates into different – not better or worse. Because all of us function differently, because all of us make mistakes, relationships at work and at home and in the community inevitably fall into this trap of fault-finding. There is only one escape from the fallout of mistakes and misunderstandings. There is only one escape from accidents and their results. There is only one escape from victimization – FORGIVENESS! When we race to blame others, casualties are inevitable. * * * Lord God, how quickly I can jump to placing the blame on someone else when things go wrong. Forgive me for behaving like a victim. Remind me, when necessary, that we are all perfectly imperfect. * * * Send To Friends | Modify Your Subscription Print Friendly Version | Unsubscribe | Hour of Power Please do not respond to this email. The reply to email address is not a monitored account. Thank you! The Very Best MUSICAL MOMENTS from the Crystal Cathedral – Vol 2 Offer Donate Stay Connected with... Dr. Schuller Connect Now Twist of Faith - BOOK Anne Beiler Order In Crisis? Get free, live counseling available 24 hours everyday from New Hope. Call 1-714-New-Hope or visit our website: newhopenow.org You are receiving this email because your Subscription Preferences indicate that you wish to receive the daily Positive Minute. If you do not wish to receive this email, simply click on the UNSUBSCRIBE link above. Copyright © 2008 Crystal Cathedral Ministries, All Rights Reserved. No part of this email may be reproduced without expressed written permission from the Crystal Cathedral Ministries. The Hour of Power™ Trademark is owned by the Crystal Cathedral Ministries. 13280 Chapman Avenue Garden Grove, California 92840