Ephesians 4:15 “…speaking the truth in love…”
An old story tells of a desert nomad who woke up hungry during the night. He lit a candle and began eating dates from a bowl he’d placed next to his bed. He took his first bite and saw a worm in it, so he threw it out of his tent. He bit into a second date, and to his dismay found another worm, so he threw it away too. Reasoning that he wouldn’t have any dates left to eat if he continued, he blew out the candle and quickly ate all the remaining ones!
Many there are who prefer darkness and denial to the light of reality. In another incident, Charles Capewell was with his son on BA flight 009 from Australia to Indonesia a few years ago. Suddenly, above the Indian Ocean, the Boeing 747 encountered problems. They oxygen masks fell down and there were shrieks and gasps throughout the cabin. The captain’s voice came on the intercom: “Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We have a small problem. All four engines have stopped. We are doing our best to get them going again. Please remain calm.” The son looked out of the window and saw flames coming from the engine. “Dad, the engine’s on fire!” Charles responded: “Well you’d better pull the blind down and pretend it’s not happening.”
Throughout history, people have been in denial. Some deny the holocaust ever took place, others in our day deny the reality of melting polar icecaps – because confronting the facts seems too daunting. But ignoring them doesn’t make them disappear, however much Mr. Capewell or the desert nomad might wish them to.
We often find it difficult to be emotionally honest. Confrontation might cause total breakdown, ructions and further damage. It seems easier to minimize or ignore the issues altogether. Are you choosing denial on any level today? Is there a situation where confrontation is called for? Do so wisely, firmly, gently, prayerfully.
Lord, help me face the facts and deal with any tricky situations that need confrontation today. Amen!
Leave a Reply