Stop Blaming Others, instead Self-examine Your Heart

We are in the middle of a pandemic right now. And in the midst of this health and economic crisis we see an increasing inclination to blame others.

We blame China. “If China had told us about this COVID-19 earlier, we would not have been in this situation. It’s China’s fault.”

We blame the President. “Our president failed to prepare our country for the coming of this coronavirus.”

We blame our governor. “She is too strict. She is robbing us of our freedom to do what we think is good for us.”

We probably even blame God. “If God is good and loving, why did He give us this virus?”

Of course, blaming shifting is not new. Our first parents did this in the Garden of Eden after they had sinned against God. Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the serpent (Genesis 3:11–13). The fact that we also love to blame others shows that we are their children. Like father, like son; like mother, like daughter.

But here’s my question for you: Does it solve our crisis by blaming others? Does it help our situation get better by pointing our finger at others? Of course not! So instead of engaging yourself in blaming others, use this time to self-examine your heart. Instead of finding fault with others, why don’t we pray with David, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalms 139:23–24).

Could it be that you and I are in part responsible for God’s bringing this virus on us? Remember Jonah. To run away from God, he took a ship going to Tarshish. But God sent a violent wind over the sea, putting the ship in great danger. The sailors wondered who was responsible for bringing this disaster on them. To make the story short, Jonah took the responsibility. Jonah then said to the sailors, “Pick me up and hurl me into the sea; then the sea will quiet down for you, for I know it is because of me that this great tempest has come upon you” (Jonah 1:12). The sailors eventually did as Jonah told them to do and “the sea ceased from its raging” (v. 15).

Now, I share this story not to suggest that it is your fault or my fault that we are caught up in this pandemic. But have you ever thought that you could be a partaker of this crisis? Have you ever thought also of the possibility that one of God’s many purposes with this coronavirus is to specifically test you? Perhaps God wanted to see how you would react to the pandemic. This virus can definitely expose who we really are!

Ironically, some Christians have the courage to protest against their political leader whom they think is robbing them of their freedom, yet remain silent when it comes to sharing their faith with others. I sometimes wonder what change could happen in our country if these Christians have the same boldness to rally for the gospel’s sake? Don’t misunderstand me. I am not saying Christians cannot disagree with how our government is handling the COVID-19 crisis, or that Christians cannot use the proper means to protest. However, how many of us have the same courage and passion to proclaim the gospel to our neighbors, or to surround the state capitol because we are so grieved about how our state tramples on God’s law? When was the last time you made a special trip just to share the gospel with others?

In addition to blaming others for the crisis, some of us may also find ourselves focused on complaining about our situation. Again, let’s pause and ask God to search our hearts. And let’s ask ourselves: What have we done to actually help solve our crisis? In the past three weeks, have you earnestly prayed to God to stop this pandemic? Have you diligently asked God to direct you to ways in which you can practically help your extended family, church, community, and beyond in the midst of this trying time? One early Christian once said, “I know many who fast, pray, sigh, and demonstrate every manner of piety, so long as it costs them nothing, yet would not part with a penny to help those in distress.” What sacrifices have you made for others’ sake?

I therefore plead with you. Please let’s stop blaming others and using our energy to complain. Rather, let’s use this very difficult and painful time to engage in self-examination. Maybe God gave us this COVID-19 to redirect our hearts back to him.

We are all anxious to get back to “normal” life. But I’m afraid to say that for many of us normal life is that which is consumed with the idols of this world such as money, sports, and entertainment. Could it be that one reason why God has not yet taken this virus away from us is because we have not learned the many lessons that he is teaching us through this pandemic? Why don’t you prayerfully ask God, “Lord, what do you want me to learn from this crisis?”

May we not emerge from this pandemic hardening our hearts like Pharaoh who feared the plagues but not God!