Taking A Pause, Part 2 of 4
They say hindsight is 20/20. The thought behind the saying is pretty obvious. When we look back on the events of our lives with a present focus, there is a clarity that, currently, we did not see in the midst of those past events. The judgements that we made in the midst of those past events or occurrences of life were always somewhat clouded with their “present-day” focus; which was not always very clear. When we look back on those events or occurrences of life, with honest and open hearts, the “current-day” focus has better clarity than the past day because of the experiences that we gained and learned from the past. A child who puts his/her hand on a hot stove, in the moment, did not think of the consequences of that action that caused much pain. However, that same child will think twice about doing it again in the future because of the experience that they gained from the past. That is why reflecting on and learning from the past is actually a good thing (see Taking A Pause, Part 1 of 4).
Reassess
A child that burns their hand on a hot stove will need to reassess when faced with the same challenge in the future. This may be an extreme example. However, when thinking about taking a pause in our lives, reassessing is a very important part of that pause. We can look back. However, if we choose to do nothing, no real learning takes place. The learning comes when we pause and not just reflect but we assess and reassess where we are in life. The following is a definition of reassess:
To think about (something) again in order to decide whether to change your opinion or judgement of it.
www.meriam-webster.com
Another definition is:
Consider or assess again, especially while paying attention to new or different factors
Oxford Languages
When reviewing the two definitions, the idea of pondering or thinking about the past is important. However, reassessing comes into play when current “new and different factors” help us to change our opinion or judgement. Had David known the consequences before he went and had an adulterous affair with Bathsheba and caused her husband Uriah to be killed, his opinion or judgement of the events may have be altered or changed (See 2 Samuel Chapters 11 and 12). The new and different factors were the consequences that David would face for the rest of his life. This is a retrospective look at reassessing. In other words, once the incident has occurred then a reassessment occurs and in this instance from a heart of remorse.
However, what about reassessing, not when we have caused or are in trouble. But reassessing when pausing and evaluating the course of our lives. In other words, pausing, reflecting and just putting things into perspective in our lives. Jesus spoke when teaching about prayer that we should “shut the door.
But thou, when thou prays, enter into thy closet and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Matthew 6: 6
The thought of entering into our closet and shutting the door is one of complete concentration; not allowing the thoughts of the day, the pressures of the present world or even our own thoughts and ideas to hinder us from speaking to our Heavenly Father. It is during this time that the best reassessments take place. Had David spent time with God in this fashion, revealing his heart, prior to the events that took place, the reassessment would have taken place at that time and God would have lead him in a different direction. 2 Samuel Chapter 11 verse 1 tells that this was a time of the kings to go to battle, but David stayed back in Jerusalem. Had David entered his closet and shut the door, he probably would have been sent out to the battle and would not have seen Bathsheba that evening.
Taking the pause, entering the closet and shutting the door, prior to the events happening in our lives can mean the difference between victory or defeat. Let’s face it, we know what our own personal struggles are in our lives from past experiences. Why not cast those struggles at the feet of Jesus instead of trying to handle them on our own. The scripture tells us that he is a wonderful, counsellor (Isaiah 9: 6-7)… Why not tell him all about our problems? There is nothing wrong with seeking “worldly” counsel when we need help and need to reassess the problems that we deal with on a day-to-day basis. However, even in that, the very best counseling that we can get is from the one who is named Counsellor. Selah.
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Photo by Tegan Mierle on Unsplash
JEFF