Take Responsibility for Your Actions

“People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.” Proverbs 28:13 NLT

In an article published Tuesday by Oregon Live titled, “Portland man must give up ownership of dog Bubbie that mauled runner, attacked poodle,” it was reported that a Multnomah County hearings officer has ordered that Jessie Miller must permanently give up his pit bull mix Bubbie after designating the canine dangerous for mauling a runner in Southeast Portland in April, less than two months after he attacked another dog… Miller, who lives in a van on the street, later acknowledged he wasn’t present when the dog attacked Wakerhauser. Miller said he was sick and vomiting and allowed his friend to take the dog for a walk, he said. The friend let the dog run off leash in a vacant, fenced-off property along Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard. Miller suggested that Wakerhauser must have done something to agitate his dog, fallen or possibly slapped it. He questioned if Bubbie was trying to “kiss” the runner. “Maybe she freaked him out…I don’t believe that he would’ve mauled her. He might have got scared,” Miller said. “He’s a wonderful pup. He’s a great dog.” Wow! Talk about shifting blame. The runner suffered severe injuries from the attack that was clearly the fault of the owner but Miller refused to take responsibility. 

And you know, when it comes to owning up to our faults, errors and shortcomings, the Bible tells us that “people who conceal their sins will not prosper.” Which means when a person chooses to blame others for their actions rather than take responsibility for them they feel no need to confess their mistakes and therefore show no remorse by turning from them—something that would undoubtedly cause them to receive mercy both from man and from the Heavenly Father. In their arrogance and pride then, these people choose to forever play the victim and forgo the grace and forgiveness that could be theirs. 

So always take responsibility for your actions my friend. Admit your mistakes. Apologize to those you’ve wronged and humbly make amends when it’s necessary so that you can free yourself from the harsh punishment you deserve. You’ll be so glad you did. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that there are always consequences for our actions. Whether we admit to our wrongdoings or not, the truth always comes out. Knowing that help us to be quick to accept responsibility for our actions and even quicker to apologize for them if we’ve hurt someone by those actions.. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!