Humility and Community in Addressing Blind Spots
Introduction
If our blind spots are truly areas that we cannot see, how can we be made aware of them and take corrective action? We suggest two factors are needed to shed light on blind spots: humility and community.
The Need for Humility
The first need is the humility to acknowledge that we may indeed have a blind spot. We do not always perceive things correctly, and it’s possible, honestly probable, that we could be completely missing an issue or a problem. Without humility, the second factor is useless.
The Role of Community
The second factor is another person’s input that will instruct us about our blindness. Sometimes the person is a friend who will gently instruct and restore, but often our blind spots are seen clearly by those who would be our critics. Humility is necessary to accept feedback that would lead to corrective action. Without humility, we’re left with defensiveness and pride, which does not lead to growth.
Personal Story: Overcoming Blind Spots
Rich tells the story about a man who came to the mission that was a roofer and had suffered a nasty fall. He was recovering well but thought he would never be a professional roofer again. His plan was to wait on his disability claim to be paid and live on that for the rest of his life. Rich replied, “I’m not interested in hearing about what you can’t do. I want to know what you CAN do.” This statement was a challenge and a corrective lens for the former roofer.
Compassion and Challenge
Compassion does not equate to coddling. Hard things happen to people every day; tragic things that they do not deserve. This man lost his profession and his health on a single day; that is a profound loss. However, it’s not sustainable for society to support this man in his loss for the rest of his life. It may take a friendly challenge to help someone see their situation differently and build from there.
The Power of Community Support
Time went on, and the man began to work on smaller maintenance projects around the facility. He built a really nice shelf out of wood that had been cast aside, which the mission used for storage. A local business owner recognized the skillful handiwork and ended up hiring the former roofer to work in his cabinet shop. The solution was first compassion and care, then a relationship over time, with a little encouragement and mentorship, and then a new possibility opened up, which was God’s providence for this man.
Conclusion
Recovery takes place in community, in a safe and healing environment where pretense and competition are stripped away. We need trusted advisors whose gentle observations about unhealthy coping mechanisms or patterns of behavior illuminate our blind spots. This is the illumination or clarity we need to correctly identify the problem and take corrective action.
