“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? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:3-5

Planks and Specks

Apparently, I am a hypocrite. Last week, I was doing my very best to be the wife I thought I was supposed to be. But how did God expect me to submit to things about my husband with which I did not agree? I fasted and prayed for three days as the questions continued. On the last day of the fast, I finally got my answer. I felt something in my eye and tried to blink it away. Then I very clearly heard the Lord say, “Get the log out of your own eye.”  

Three days of praying, seeking the Lord, and fasting, only to hear that I was the one who needed to change? Unbelievable! But I wanted to laugh! It was so very freeing to hear this! You see, what really needed to change in my marriage at that moment was my perspective. I had grown entitled to certain things, and that was making me bitter toward my spouse. Yet I was not even able to see my own entitlement and bitterness, because I was blinded by the log in my eye! I needed the Holy Spirit to point it out to me, and to remove it. 

There was a spring in my step for the rest of the day. I felt lighter. How could I not? A log is a heavy, draining thing to be carrying around. It turns out, my husband isn’t so bad after all. He’s leading us the best he knows how, and seeking God. What more can I ask? I need to encourage him and pray for him. 

But still, I do believe that God cares about the concerns of my heart, and it’s not always going to be a simple perspective shift that is needed. Sometimes, my husband may indeed need to change. But I can always start my prayer with, “Jesus, please take the log out of my own eye so that I can properly see this situation.” I still am not to let myself be weighed down by judgment, worry, or bitterness. I can pray for my husband with a pure heart and trust God to speak the words that my husband needs to hear. I must first be willing to listen.

“Dear heavenly Father, thank You for showing us the error of our ways. Please continue to correct us when we need it. Thank You that You never give up on us, and that You love us more than we can ever comprehend. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”