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Facing Your Current Reality With Courage

I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
Revelation 3:18

Professor Howard Henricks was once asked to assess the declining membership at a certain church. After attending the services for several weeks he met with the board and made this recommendation. "Put a fence around it and charge admission so that people can come and see how church was done in the 1950's." In other words, you're hopelessly behind! Because our ego is on the line we've a tendency to put a positive spin on things, while ignoring all evidence to the contrary. The danger is, that over time we lose sight of what is actually happening around us. Good leaders refuse to do that; they're relentless in their quest to know the score. They root out misinformation and refuse to reward those who deliver it. In so doing, they create a culture that's transparent concerning what is, and what isn't taking place. 

To ensure that you live this way, obey these seven commandments:

1. Thou shalt not pretend
2. Thou shalt not turn a blind eye
3. Thou shalt not exaggerate
4. Thou shalt not shoot the bearer of bad news
5. Thou shalt not hide behind the numbers
6. Thou shalt not ignore constructive criticism
7. Thou shalt not isolate thyself.

Attempting to make progress while turning a blind eye to reality is like treading water; it can only go on for so long. Eventually you sink. You must be willing to face the truth regardless of how painful it might be. And if you don't like what you see - change it!

Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me see things in an honest and constructive way. In Jesus' Name, Amen