John and Lilian enjoyed the visit of their precious daughter and her family. For their parting meal together, Lillian, a retired professional cook, prepared macaroni and cheese, a favorite meal of her two grandsons.
With everyone seated, Lilian brought in the main course and placed it in the center of the table. She raised the lid lo and behold she discovered that there was just hot cheese sauce in the bowl! Lilian had forgotten to add the main ingredient, macaroni!
Irrespective of her old age or experience, we all make mistakes. It could be a thoughtless word or a poorly timed action or perhaps we simply overlooked something or let it slip our subconscious. Why do mistakes happen? How can we thoroughly deal with them? Can they be avoided? A proper view of mistakes will help us answer these pertinent questions.
MISTAKES – OUR PERSONAL VIEW AND GOD’S
Anytime we do a particular task well, we gladly accept the praise and acknowledgement that we feel we deserve. But if we make a mistake, even if it is unintentional or unnoticed by others, should we not in the same vein accept our responsibility? In order to do so it requires humility.
Once we feel too big, we may well try minimizing our inadequacies, shift blame, or deny that we made it. Such actions usually lead to catastrophically consequences. The problem could remain unresolved and other people could receive the blame. Para venture, we succeed in passing down the blame to others unjustly, remember “each of us will render an account for himself to God” – Romans 14:12
God Almighty has a realistic view of mistakes. In the book of Psalms, God is portrayed as “merciful and compassionate”;he “will not always find fault, nor will he stay resentful for life”. He knows the imperfection of his creatures and understands our inborn frailties, ”remembering that we are dust.”- Psalms 103:8, 9, 14
So therefore, God as a merciful and compassionate father wants us to view mistakes as he does.(Psalm 130:3).His loving word provides us an abundance of counsel and guidance to help us deal with our mistakes and that of others.
WAYS TO COPE WITH MISTAKES
Normally, when mistakes are made, an individual spends much time and emotional energy blaming or justifying what was said or done .Instead, when your words offend someone, why not kindly apologize ,put things right and maintain your friendship. Have you done something wrong and caused inconvenience to yourself or someone? Rather than beating about the bush, why not kindly do your best to alienate issues properly? If you insist that the fault lies elsewhere it will only prolong and cause unnecessary tension and allow the problem to intensify. Simply learn, correct and move on.
When someone else makes a mistake, we act in an easy manner that shows disapproval. How much better to follow the words of Jesus Christ when he said:”All things, therefore, that you want men to do to you, you also must do to them”(Matthew 7:12).When you make a mistake, even a trivial one, no wonder you want others to forgive you and overlook your mistakes completely. So why not strive to show the same kindness toward others?- Ephesians 4:32
PRINCIPLES THAT CAN HELP REDUCE MISTAKES
Mistakes arise solely from “faulty judgment, inadequate knowledge or inattention”, explains one dictionary. We have to concur that at one time or another, every individual portrays those traits. Notwithstanding, mistakes could be minimized if we take on some scripture based fundamental principles.
One principle is found at Proverbs 18:13, which reads:”when anyone replies to a matter before he hears the facts, it is foolish and humiliating”. You need to hear things out before making a pronouncement so as to help you from speaking rashly or reacting impulsively. Also, knowledge acquired by paying close attention is invaluable in averting faulty judgment – and avoiding mistakes. Looking at another Bible principle which says:”if possible, as far as it depends on you, be peaceable with all men”.(Romans 12:18) Always do your best in promoting peaceful co-existence and cooperation. While working with people, be considerate and respectful and endeavor to commend and encourage and also motivate them. In such situations, thoughtless actions and words are easily forgiven, forgotten and overlooked and also serious offences can be amiably resolved peacefully.
Always strive to turn mistakes into a positive experience. Other than finding excuses for what you did or said, utilize and seize this wonderful opportunity to enhance positive qualities in yourself. All you have to do is to show more patience, kindness, self-control, mildness, peace and love (Galatians 5:22, 23). Just learn what not to do or say the next time. Try out not taking yourself too serious without being irresponsible and beam a sense of humor in diffusing tension.
BENEFITING FROM A PROPER VIEW
Properly viewing mistakes carefully helps us to constructively cope when they occur. Establishing more peace with ourselves and others. Once you learn from your mistakes, you become likable, smarter and wisdom enabled. Neither of us will become overly downhearted nor think badly of ourselves. Consider and appreciating the fact that others are dealing with their own mistakes unites us more closely to them. Importantly, we can benefit immensely from imitating God’s love and willingness to forgive freely. ---- Colossians 3:13
Did Lillian’s mistake mentioned earlier destroy the family reunion? NO. Rather, every family member laughed over it especially Lilian and enjoyed the meal --- without the macaroni! After all, it was only a mistake.