“Forgiveness isn’t just a pre-decision; it’s an life-long commitment. If you fill the gaps with negative assumptions, there is opportunity to take offense all the time. My advice? Give people the benefit of the doubt. Don’t play the victim when things go bad. Don’t play God when things go good.”- Mark Batterson
“One criticism plus one thousand compliments equals one criticism.”- Mark Batterson
Pastor Batterson concludes Chapter 10 of Please Sorry Thanks with a fascinating matrix called the Johari window. The matrix consists of four quadrants that represent four dimensions of your identity.
1. The arena quadrant. This first dimension consists of those things you know about yourself and others know about you. Thus, this represents the public you as well as the most prominent features of your personality.
2. The facade quadrant. Moving along, this second dimension consists of those things you know about yourself but others don’t know about you. So, this serves as your alter ego – who you are when no one else is looking. Hence, Mark quips, this creates one problem: If you is who you ain’t, you ain’t who you is!
Instead, Pastor Batterson counsels, consecrate yourself to God – your altar ego.
3. The blind-spot quadrant. In contrast to the second quadrant, this dimension consists of those things others know about you but you don’t know about yourself. As a result, mature people identify more with their long-range selves and profit from correction. Rather than resent it.
4. The unknown quadrant. Finally, this fourth dimension consists of those things you don’t know about yourself and others don’t know about you. Consequently, Mark advises, seek God to discover who you are. Your true identity in Christ.
Therefore, you must be in a relationship with God to maximize your potential. Because God gave you that potential in the first place. Hence, Mark concludes:
“What is the loudest voice in your life? Is it the still, small voice of the Spirit? If it is, you’ll say sorry more than the average person. You’ll also forgive more than the average person! Why? You’re living unoffended, loving unoffended.”
Today’s question: When do you find yourself prone to play the victim or to play God? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “With gratitude or for granted?”
