Blaming Only Creates A Second Problem

by Eric Elkin

“Jesus’ disciples asked, “Rabbi, who sinned so that he was born blind, this man or his parents?”

— John 9:2

You never really know the impact you have on others. Something inside of us is fearful of expressing our deepest sentiments. Maybe we are afraid of being exposed as weak. As a result, there are so few times we actually tell people how much they mean to us.

Think for a moment about a mentor, teacher, or friend who has influenced your life. Have you ever shared with them how much they have meant to you?

This is one lesson I used to teach counselors at camp. Children rarely tell you how much you have meant to them as a counselor. It's okay that they don't. To help you find fulfillment as a counselor, you need to look for and appreciate those moments where your influence is revealed in the actions of a camper.

There is a lesson I used to teach our camp staff. I cannot remember teaching it during staff training as a formal rule. However, whenever we talked about emergency procedures, it was repeated over and over again. It is one of those lessons I am not sure anyone will ever attribute to me, but it was lived out every day. Every time we had an emergency, I watched the staff do what they were taught to do. It was wonderfully affirming.

The lesson was this when a problem arises, I don't care who is to blame for it. Don't waste any time trying to figure out how something happened or who caused it. Address the immediate concern. Make sure all children are healthy and safe. When the crisis is over, then we will talk about how to avoid it in the future.

“Blame-all and Praise-all are two blockheads.”

— Benjamin Franklin

This past week, I broke from my own advice. I posted a comment on Facebook critical of the president's press conference on the Coronavirus (COVD-19). He and his leadership team broke every recommended behavior they were telling us to do. There was no social distancing. The leaders all stood should to shoulder. The president shook hands and was right in each person's face. I couldn't help but point out the irony.

In my defense, it was intended as a snarky joke. But it opened the door to plenty of criticism. Some of it was justified, however, now is not the time for criticism. Right now, we are facing a serious situation. We need to address immediate concerns, calmly and patiently. Opening up the door for criticism only gave fear a platform. I am sorry.

I was thinking about this as I read the story where Jesus healed a man born blind from birth. It is a long story. As a matter of fact, it takes 41 verses and a whole chapter to tell it. However, the actual healing is very short. What takes up the time and space is trying to answer the question, "Who sinned, this man or his parents?"

The people are so preoccupied with the question of who to blame, they never see the miracle. The obsession of identifying the sinner turns joy into fear and anger. 2000 years removed from the experience, you can read the tension building in the story. By the end, there is an expulsion, name-calling, and plans being made to take revenge. How sad.

It serves as a good lesson for us, though. Right now, we are blind. Some are blind to the need for precautionary steps. Others are blind to the future. So blind, it is altering the vision of the present. Don't waste time trying to blame. Be calm. See that this is not the end of the world. Be mindful of your neighbor and of yourself. I am more confident than ever before that the president, congress, and the senate can and will work together to help the nation. And, I believe our love for each other is greater than our anger. Don't be blind to this possibility.

Click to read John 9: 1-41