Check your motives, watch your words, recognise sin, acknowledge shortcomings, apologise, make things right, have grace for others, resist complacency, avoid laziness, be present, forgive with ease.

Three incidents this week forced me to introspect.  i was compelled to examine my thoughts and feelings. It didn’t end there, either. I was challenged to reevaluate the way I respond to situations. My actions, birthed out of thoughts and feelings were under scrutiny.

I was reminded of the fact that nothing is kept secret from God:

O LORD, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
(Psalm 139:1-3 ESV)

I was also reminded that as much as I introspect, I have to open my heart up to inspection:

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!
(Psalm 139:23-24 ESV)

I also remembered Pentecost and the fact that I can do nothing to fix my attitude, thoughts and actions but by the power of the Holy Spirit:

But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them…
(Acts 2:14 ESV)

Peter, the wuss who denied Jesus 3 times to save his own butt, now speaks bold words, powerfully to a hostile crowd. The Holy Spirit’s power changes us. Surrender to it.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

(Romans 12:2 ESV)

Do you introspect? Do you go a step further and let your heart be examined and tested? Are you willing to surrender fully to the power of the Holy Spirit?