We all know how it feels when others let us down. From disappointment to betrayal, we wonder if that wound will ever heal.

No one can take from you what only God can give. Your worth, your value, your joy, your happiness, peace, potential, your talent, your skill, not even your name. We brought nothing into this world. How does anyone take what isn’t ours to lose? (Not mom, dad, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, neighbor, stranger.)

All that enters through the birth canal is a gift. Someone else gives life and all its fullness.

And the giver is the Spirit of God. And because the Spirit of God is creator of all life, life is good. Not good like, Okay — good like God. Abundant, gracious, generous, true, life-giving, healing — good. Even when we don’t get what we expect, God is still enough because the Spirit of God is with us. We don’t face losses alone because God’s face never turns away from us. Nothing has power to take our worth away when our worthiness rests in God alone.

JESUS IS THE CURE FOR TRYING ALL OUR life TO JUSTIFY OURSELVES

Blame deceives. When Eve accuses God of withholding knowledge, she decides she’s better off without Him.

Blame blinds. Hiding their shame from God, the goodness of God is hidden from Adam & Eve’s eyes.

Blame steals. The moment Adam points his finger at Eve, he rejects God’s unadulterated love.

Blame kills. Determined to see fault in everyone but themselves, A & E choose death over the Giver of good & perfect gifts.

Jesus healed everyone He touched. No one left Him blind, paralyzed, or demon possessed. But He didn’t only heal eyes, limbs, and mental stability. Jesus is the cure for trying all our life to justify ourselves. 

Blame isn’t dead. Like a virus, it still spreads. Until the King of Kings returns, or we’re home tucked in our heavenly beds, we’ve been given the means to keep our busy hands clean. Examining ourselves by the light of The Word.

One of my favorite prayers when I’m struggling with blaming others comes from Psalms 139: Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Didn’t Jesus say, Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him?)

 GRACE NEVER RUNS OUT

Blame is easy to cling to when we feel unsafe. Especially when it’s someone we think owes us something or deserves nothing. And sometimes, that someone, is Jesus.

A & E were not that different from you and me. Remember the moment you thought God forgot you? The day you tried to hide from God because His way didn’t suit you? Losing sight of redeeming love the second you flipped fault on someone else?

A world of blame was nailed to the cross. Through the Spirit of God blame can’t touch us. His wounded hands take us by our empty hands and gives grace to lay down all blame — and walk away. And when blame tries to eek its way back, grace never runs out.

“Life changing repentance begins where blame shifting ends.” – Timothy Keller