Cleaning Out Truth Decay
Open yourself to a deeper awareness of God
I needed a spate of dental work over the summer. My dentist started with a few fillings, moved on to replacing a crown, and finished with fitting me for a new occlusal guard. As unpleasant as these procedures were, the real pain came when I started getting the bills. Even with insurance, the out-of-pocket costs mounted quickly.
When I received a call several weeks later from my dentist’s office, I braced myself for bad news.
“Ms. Burton? Good morning. I’m calling about your bill.”
Oh great, I thought, now they’re going to want even more money.
“Hi. I don’t understand. I paid in person the last time I was there.”
“We know. I’m calling because we spoke again to your insurance company.”
I complained inwardly as I listened. Ugh, what now? I bet they figured out a way to disallow even more of the covered services.
“What did they say?” I asked.
“They said they made a mistake when they disallowed part of the claim. I’m calling to let you know our office is going to issue you a refund based on the correction.”
I was stunned and momentarily speechless. Finally, I stammered, “Well, that’s a nice surprise.” We talked a few minutes longer about how unusual it is to get unexpected good news these days.
After I hung up, I was left with the unsettling awareness that despite my understanding of Unity principles and commitment to spiritual living, I am still a bit of a pessimist. When I received that call, I expected a hassle, a problem, and an unwelcome expense. Learning that I was about to get a refund, I was grateful but also a little nonplussed as I realized how easily I had expected the worst.
We may be solid in our understanding of spiritual truths and diligent in their practice, but our embedded beliefs may still surprise or even derail us when they surface unexpectedly.
Be an Intrepid Spiritual Explorer
Along the spiritual path, sometimes decades-old beliefs run underground. We may be solid in our understanding of spiritual truths and diligent in their practice, but our embedded beliefs may still surprise or even derail us when they surface unexpectedly.
It’s important to stay open to the reactions and judgments that surprise us. Free of judgment and condemnation, with self-compassion and love, we can learn so much by stepping back and learning from what our reactions show us about ourselves.
Most of the time, our unsettling reactions indicate we still have some inner work to do. This might be a little disappointing and frustrating, but it’s actually a good thing. It’s an invitation to discover the hidden parts of ourselves, delve a little deeper, and bring our darkness into the light.
We need not do this alone. As always, God is with and within us, our guidance in times of confusion and our comfort in times of distress. As we commit to spiritual discovery and growth, we will find more things—beliefs, resentments, fears—that may surprise or even disturb us. Rather than shrink from them, however, we can greet those parts of ourselves with a soft and open heart.
As for me, the good news I received from my dentist’s office that day had nothing to do with getting a refund. The good news was learning I still harbor scarcity beliefs despite having practiced prosperity principles for more than two decades. It’s realizing that even though I am much more optimistic than I used to be, there are pockets of pessimism lurking within me. These discoveries don’t invalidate the work I’ve done. They just mean I have more work to do.
You may have some more spiritual work to do too. Take heart and know you’re not alone. As you compassionately confront the unhealed parts of yourself, you will free yourself from what binds you and open yourself to a deeper awareness of God.