Know Thyself

The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out. Proverbs 18:15 

  

  There are not many wonderful or useful things regarding health problems and ongoing illnesses and diseases of body and mind. But in particular it has made me honest and forced me to acknowledge my limitations on a daily basis, and there is some profit in that. 

  Too many people will not admit to weaknesses or disabilities of any kind. Indeed, we hold people in high regard who are stoic about problems and personal weaknesses. We encourage dishonesty about real problems and issues, even adding virtue to the idea of suffering silently as the world goes by. 

  Yet the truth is there is nothing noble, wise, or courageous about being dishonest with yourself and those around you regarding serious health issues of mind and/or body. What often happens is the world eventually comes crashing down around your ears and then weakness that were there all along are on public display for all to see. Rather than keeping it hidden, your faults are “shouted from the rooftops”. 

   

The unexamined life is not worth living 

---Socrates 

  

  When we come to know ourselves, recognizing both our weaknesses and strengths, we are better able to accept and deal with the reality we are given. While optimism and a positive outlook is are good things, denying reality and living in a fantasy mind-set is not. 

  We must recognize problems and deal with them when they arise. We must admit to ourselves our real weaknesses and failings. Only by doing so can we advance through life armed for the challenges we will face. Only by knowing ourselves and recognizing our weaknesses can we go to the Lord and ask for the grace and strength to get better, and overcome, and often just survive the challenges we all must deal with in life. 

  Prayer: Dear Lord, we all fall short of Your example, and we all need grace and mercy to help us through mental, physical, and moral failings and shortcomings. We are a temple of God living in clay houses that need all the help You can give us Lord. Help us today and every day to recognize, overcome, and survive each weakness and every disability. Amen.