Splinters and Logs

Have you ever noticed how it is so easy to find the faults in everyone around you, but when it comes to finding the weaknesses in yourself, you really don't dig too deep? Think of everyone you know best. I'm sure you can list three things about each of them that aggravate you just as quickly as you can list three things about each of them that bring you comfort or make you laugh. Everyone has faults and everyone has strengths. It's just that there are times when there faults seem to stick out more than there strengths and that seems to be all we see.
The same can be same about me. And about you. There is only one human being who walked this earth that is an exception to that rule and that is Christ. He was perfect. He had no faults -- though, He did have to endure the faults of those around Him. He was the only man that could look at another man, without fault, and justifiably point out their sins.
So, why do we feel it is our duty to pick out the sins of our fellow man when we should be focusing on dealing with our own sins? I am guilty of this, just as we all are. I can look at my family, at my friends, at my boss, at my co-workers -- and find their faults. What gives me the right to do that? Who says that I am any better than they are? By me picking out their faults, I am saying that I'm better than they are. Not only is that far from the truth, but that isn't the way the Christ would have me treat my family and friends and co-workers.
Luke 6:41 says,
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"
You would think that someone would notice a plank, or a log, sticking out of their eye before they would notice a tiny speck of sawdust, or a splinter, in another person's eye. That sounds logical. However, human beings generally act illogical toward one another and place themselves over the other in most, if not all, circumstances.
Jesus Christ, the one person who the right to do this and treat His fellow man as if they were beneath Him, knelt before them and washed their feet. Christ, the man who knew no sin, befriended the tax collectors and the prostitutes of His day. Christ, the man who knew why He was put on earth and that He was going to be betrayed, knelt before His betrayer and washed Judas' feet. Could we take on the heart of a servant to our closest friends and family? Better yet, could we take on the heart of a servant with our worst enemy? Jesus did.
This past week, I have been extremely irritable and short with virtually everyone around me. I'm quick-tempered and very unsympathetic. My tolerance level for weakness and whimpering is usually low, but this week, it has been even lower. I despise whining, even from me, and I loathe hypocrites. I will admit that I have not had a Christ-like attitude this week. Why? I honestly do not know. I'm still feeling short-tempered and irritable. I want to be away from those I love because I don't want to argue with them. I don't want to say anything or do anything that will hurt them. I know how cruel I can be and how sharp my tongue can be and I don't want to do that. I even asked my husband last night to give me some space. He gave me a couple of hours and I guess he thought that was enough, but it wasn't. I didn't ask for more. I just kept my mouth firmly shut and prayed for the Lord to still my tongue. There is nothing my husband has done and I did not want to fight with him.
I do not know how to get out of this. I pray that by venting here my feelings will subside a bit and I can purge through. I don't enjoy being cranky and I certainly despise judging others. We are commanded not to judge others. I certainly don't want their fingers pointed back at me.
Dear Father,
I come to You now with a confused spirit. I'm not sure why I am the way I am now and I take comfort in the fact that you know my heart. You know the words that I seek that I can't speak. Lord, David proclaimed you to be the sustainer and the lifter of his head and I need the same from You now. I need You to lift me out of whatever it is I'm in, Father. I need You to be my ever consuming need and my never ceasing Joy, Father. I can't do anything without You. I was nothing before You and I'm nothing now without You. Heal my spirit, Father. Help my eyes to see those around me the way Jesus would see those around me -- not the way Satan wants me to see them. Help me to remember that I may be all that someone may see of Jesus. Refill my lamp, Father, so that my light may shine so bright and that those around me will be so touched with Your presence that they won't be able to deny that I have what they lack -- You, Father. Cleanse my heart. Erase my sins. Forgive me for wicked thoughts and my sharp tongue. They have no place in my heart when I am to be about my Father's business. I trust completely in you, Father. For all of my needs. I know that you are my provider and you will give me the desires of my heart -- in YOUR time -- not mine. I love you, Father. Amen.