Facing the Facts

These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace. Zechariah 8:16

 

“If you don’t know what’s happening, you can’t do anything about it.” I made this note to myself at the end of a study on Acts 22-23.

In these chapters the Jewish leadership of the day is falsely accusing Paul of desecrating the temple, causing riots, and they were plotting to kill him. He has been imprisoned by the Roman military though they could not find basis for the charges against him. Paul’s nephew overhears their murderous plans and reports them to Paul. He sends his nephew to inform the authorities who can protect him.

Had the nephew not reported the scheme to murder Paul he may have been killed on his next trip to court. Because he had this new information, he could take the necessary steps to protect himself.

How often do we learn some piece of truth we had not known and rather than acting on it, we bury our heads in the sand? Or, we see a situation that needs to be corrected but we know it will be hard so we put it off? We are fearful of either the process or the consequences of making a change.  In some way we rationalize that if we pretend it isn’t there, it will go away.

The truth is that it is much easier to resolve a problem when we first learn about it than it is to wait until it is bigger, bothering us more, or more people know about it.

One example would be the child who has a rebellious nature as a toddler.  Because they are young we think it is cute and they will grow out of it. A child who is permitted to disobey authority as a young child is going to have a faulty understanding of their own power and authority. It is easier to teach a two year old that the parents are the authorities than it is a four year old.

Another example is in the workplace. A co-worker who is not doing her job, or who is inconsiderate, always late, or manipulating others to do her work is easier to confront when the problem begins than to wait several years when she has an ingrained habit that everyone has tolerated.

The Bible says that if we have something against someone we are to go to them about it.  Matthew 18:15 says,  “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.”

Paul wasted no time to save his own life. He was not in a position to confront his accusers but when he learned about the problem he sought help. God stepped in and sent Paul (as a prisoner) on to Rome to protect him.  If Paul had remained silent, he may have been killed.

Is there a problem that you are refusing to face? It may not literally save your life but it may save you from a life of resentment and bitterness if you face it head on rather than pretending it isn’t there.

What is happening in your life that you need to do something about?