“This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: ‘In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.’” -Isaiah 30:15

We all have the inner need to be good. We want to be happy, but we need to be good. If someone tells you “you’re not a happy person,” you accept it — potentially agreeing with them. But if someone tells you “you’re not a good person”– it hurts. It’s one of the harshest things you can say to someone because their dignity is located in their need to be good. That’s why the thief always blames the victim: she shouldn’t have left her wallet out, he shouldn’t have left his car unlocked, the adulterer blames the spouse for not treating them well. When we do something that is obviously wrong to everybody, we go into inner attorney mode and justify our actions. It’s hard to admit that we’re not good. That’s why one of the best things you can do when you do something wrong is to repent — to just say sorry.

PRAYER: Thank you, Lord, for loving me even when I’m not always good. Please help me strive to become more like you, and to share your goodness.

REFLECTION: Do you find yourself justifying and blaming the victim? Are you always good? Are you good at repenting and apologizing?