The blame game

            What has blaming ever really done for you? It provides an extremely temporary release from responsibility. It may answer the question of who or what did something but ultimately, it is not a solution. These days blame is practically a sport; it’s nothing new, it started in the Garden of Eden when Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the serpent for their own disobedience. The serpent didn’t cast blame; for one thing there was no one else to blame but secondly (and more importantly) he planted the seeds of sin and blame, it accomplished what he set out to do.
            We blame our parents, the weather, government, the rich, the poor, other races or religions and any other group we can think of. Yes, it’s true that certain things started somewhere. However, let’s look at the bottom line; what does blaming do for you? It creates discontentment, anger, resentment, it removes us from personal responsibility. Taking the responsibility to do something about your issue is the first step in reclaiming your own happiness and contentment. We can’t change anything by placing blame and pointing fingers. Perhaps blaming makes us feel superior to at least one other person, I assure you it is a momentary feeling at best.
            My goal here isn’t to make you feel bad, I play the blame game myself. My goal is to change my world from within and encourage you to do the same. As I searched through scripture for guidance in writing this, I found the word blameless many times and blame very few. We are to live blameless lives ourselves. We are never instructed to place blame. When we point the finger at others it is like smoke and mirrors, we distract others from our own faults. In the end, nothing changes, we still linger in our own lack of happiness. When was the last time blaming someone really made you feel better?
            Instead of blaming I vote that we look for solutions. There is a quote that says, “if you aren’t part of the solution, you are part of the problem.”  We cannot change someone else; we must work with what we have from within to make a difference. It is not a one and done plan, rather a constant in life to make the decision, each and every decision, being mindful of what you can do. The first thing each of us can do is stop blaming and decide to do something positive. Forgiveness is a good place to start, forgive your parents and move forward. Write a letter that government official. Take your umbrella or your gloves as needed. Try to meet someone different than yourself and get to know him or her to have a better understanding of your fellow-man, gain perspective. Above all else, pray for change and be open to change from the inside. Then do what God is leading you to do.
            The reward is a happier life and contentment. We must remember that Jesus took our own sin and blame to the cross for us; he was truly blameless, but he did something about it. He also took the sin and blame for every person at whom we have pointed the finger. There is no joy in blame.
            “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endure such opposition from sinners, so that your will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrew 12: 1b-3.
               
                                              




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