Giving Up Rationalizing - Why and How

 Rationalizing

When things go wrong we are often experts at rationalizing why it wasn’t our fault. None of us like to take responsibility for problems.

We can find all kinds of excuses for our actions based on things like hurt we’ve sustained.  We reason that our wrong choices are justified because of what we have experienced. 

Truthfully, some of us have experienced traumatic things that have left an impact on us, but God wants to bring us more healing today and help us live well in His power.  He has what we need in order to do the right thing no matter the inner challenges.  These words encourage me:

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 2:13; 4:13

The big question for us is whether we are willing to be respond to God’s invitation or remain trapped in the rationalizing lies of the evil one. 

Sometimes the trigger to our rationalizing may be a bitter root of unforgiveness against someone who harmed us or didn’t help us when we thought they should have.  Our way is to hold on to the hate and rationalize why we have a right to it. 

God’s way is restoration through forgiveness, both given and received.  Continuing to choose our own way through rationalizing, rather than God’s way of forgiving, will have an ongoing damaging effect on our well being.

Loving God, You love us unconditionally and You are willing and able to show us the root cause of behaviours that continue to harm us and our relationships.  damage our lives. 

We really do want to live as You would have us live in all that we say and do and even what we think and desire.  We ask you today to give us the power and guidance to make good choices that will set us free from our bondage to the past. 

Help us to forgive those hurtful things that set us on a wrong course in life.  Today, we choose to surrender our will and life to your care. We trust You to give us the desire and power to do what pleases You.  Amen

It’s a hard moment but a very freeing one when we give up rationalizing and choose to take responsibility.  Let’s do our best to choose for that often today.