PINIMAGEBlame is defined by Webster’s dictionary:
an act of attributing fault; censure; reproof:
to hold responsible; find fault with
If there is a person in the world that doesn’t have to play the blame game, it’s the person following hard after Christ – that person who walks with the Lord in a personal relationship, entrusting Him with their lives day-to-day, moment-to-moment. Blame dwells with companions such as irritation, doubt, worry, selfishness, entitlement and fear, to name a few. When any of these attitudes are present in our hearts and lives, we are probably casting blame. It’s interesting that a believer can claim they are experiencing the promises of God; they can talk about an abundant walk with Him and yet blame people and circumstances for their unhappiness. Their words don’t match up with their lives. James 3:10-11 says, From the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? This can be a true indicator that they are essentially unhappy with the station in which God has placed them. They know that confessing they are not satisfied with God’s plan means they then would have to face the rebellion they feel toward His purpose for the present season of life. It all comes down to God. God is not okay with blame. I find myself tempted to blame at times. When my heart is unsettled I can begin to feel, “If only they…” or “If only that…” “If this wasn’t…” “If that hadn’t happened…” “If only that had been different…” “If only I had…” I am tempted to get angry and place blame on people or circumstances when in reality ALL I encounter as God’s child is sifted through His sovereign hand. He ordained it.
He ordained it.
In John 10:28-29 Christ says, I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.
Wouldn’t this passage support the idea that if God is more powerful than anyone else and NOTHING can snatch us from His hand then whatever we experience and whomever we encounter are under His authority in our lives? They cannot act apart from His plan for our lives. He ordains our days AND HE IS GOOD. He is worthy of all praise.
Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness. Psalm 145:3
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28
Now we have a dilemma. When is it appropriate to walk around with a downcast countenance? Do we believe God? Do we trust Him? This post has convicted me for two reasons. First, when I face circumstances I don’t like, or difficulty that lingers, and I begin to blame, my complaint is with God alone. Period. No matter how I package it, discontent in any form must be directed at God – not people, not circumstances. There’s a second really big part to this problem. GOD is worthy of ALL praise. He tells us He is good. To “blame” God would be to defame Him and His name. Blaming God uncovers our doubt that He is who He says He is and He will do what He says He will do.
Psalm 84:11 says, For the LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.
So what do you do with the angst or discontent within your heart? Confess it. It’s sin. Another thought to consider is this. Blame keeps us from the abundance God intends for us. What? How can blame keep me from good things? Confessing blame doesn’t change my circumstances. No. It may not. But when we acknowledge we are tempted to blame, we can use it as a prompt to look inside ourselves and confess our fears, anger, and doubt to God. When we place God back on the throne of our lives as Lord over all, we experience His peace and victory even in our difficulty.
Blame keeps us from the abundance God intends for us.
Like the old song says, “It’s me. It’s me. It’s me, O Lord. Standing in the need of prayer.”
This has been a great reminder to me today. In fact, God led me to Psalm 34 during my quiet time this morning that brought me great encouragement. If you need to hear some truth right now, meditate on this powerful passage.
Psalm 34
1 I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.
4 I sought the Lord, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
5 They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces were not ashamed.
6 This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel[a] of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them.
8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
9 Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints!
There is no want to those who fear Him.
10 The young lions lack and suffer hunger;
But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.
11 Come, you children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 Who is the man who desires life,
And loves many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil,
And your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Depart from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the Lord delivers him out of them all.
20 He guards all his bones;
Not one of them is broken.
21 Evil shall slay the wicked,
And those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.
22 The Lord redeems the soul of His servants,
And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.
