One of my favorite scriptures in the bible is Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” While I am asking God to search me I think it is important for me to also search myself. That is why everyday I partake in what I call Self Exploratory Surgery. It’s always important for me to do a quick once-over of my activities, encounters, feelings, thoughts, and motives daily. It’s like taking a personal inventory, so that I can discover where I was wrong and promptly admit it.
Questions that help me take an inventory of how I spent my day
- What were the things I did today?
- Where do I think I could have done better?
- Were the motives for the things I did, self-seeking?
- Do I owe anyone an apology?
Asking these questions daily helps me take a step back from everything going on to examine my heart and conscience. When I do this on the regular, I’ve observed that areas of my life with unproductive habits become clearer; additionally, I’m able to confess my failings to God and ask for forgiveness as well as the forgiveness of those I’ve wronged.
Furthermore, reflecting on my mistakes and confessing them makes me less likely to repeat them. Hence, a daily self exploratory surgery turns my mistakes into valuable learning tools and not necessarily something to feel guilty or ashamed of.
A few days ago, I took it up a notch by doing a spiritual self exploratory surgery combined with meditation of scripture. Since I started doing this daily, I can tell that my relationship with God has accelerated and deepened. The truth is that daily meditation strengthens and conditions my spirit man. According to Christianity Today, “spending time in scripture reflection is unarguably the most effective personal spiritual practice.”
This spiritual-growth-catalyzing exercise often requires a thoughtful and deliberate pondering of the things that quicken and inspire me. When doing this I use a method and frequency that motivates me to be my best self.
Lastly, today, I made the resolution to renew my commitment to myself; that I will spend quality time henceforth fearlessly doing this refreshing self-reflection daily. I encourage you too to try it, but be gentle and self-affirming while you’re at it.
