Flaws

Have you ever suddenly seen a big fault or flaws within yourself for which you realize that you have held others in contempt for having?
I know it is a common thing said that the things that people hate the most within others are the things that they hate the most within themselves.
Maybe it is because they unconsciously see that thing in themselves and they know that it has caused some of the misery or problems in their own life. Then when they look at others and see that same thing, they think it is such a waste for them to not have the strength or courage to overcome it. They have beaten themselves up over this thing and then all of a sudden they can take that rage out on someone else where it doesn't hurt to feel the brunt of the bitter attack. Perhaps the more a person holds others in contempt, the more they see flaws in their own character which they do not have the courage to face either.

Do you think it takes more courage to give grace to others when you have overcome similar struggles?
I wonder what struggles Jesus had in fighting to give grace? The Word says that he went through the same things - every temptation - that we face and he overcame them all. To me, that says that he was faced with the same desires that are human, including this, and he overcame it too.
Perhaps if it is easier to give grace after a struggle, it is only because in the overcoming the spirit and heart were tempered and refined. The sand from the riverbed was sifted and the gold shone. Perhaps it is only easier for those who have allowed the sifting of the sands, who have offered their hearts to the refining fire, rather than hiding it in that dark box under lock and key which C.S. Lewis described.

Father, I ask for strength for your children and courage. I ask that you help us to offer our hearts to your capable hands to be molded and perfected, that we might take the initiative to seek out a sifting, that we might call out to you, "Search my heart, O God. Search me and whatever you find that isn't pleasant, full of love and good, burn it out. Put your hot coals to my lips so I might be worthy to stand in your presence." And teach us to love with as much mercy and grace as  you offer us through your son. Teach us humility as well so we might truly see that we have no authority but through you, adopted children as we are, and we are not the judges of the other orphans and adopted siblings around us. And Father, continue to pour out your grace, love, and mercy on your children - for we are more in need of it than ever before.