In 2006, the documentary An Inconvenient Truth premiered showing Al Gore's lecture series on global warming. To some, this was a rallying cry to fix the environment. To others, this was a work of fiction that was just a waste of time and a money-making scheme by the former vice president. However, this is not a politically motivated blog. We all have our opinions on the subject, and most will not change.
The title is what caught my attention and makes me ask the question: Why is truth inconvenient?
Most of the time we are caught up in our ways. We have created our own realities based on tradition, history, culture, superstitions, and even downright lies. We even try to rewrite our history to make it flow with our own personal convictions. When truth and our personal realities do not agree with each other, we often choose to believe what makes us feel better about ourselves.
Truth does not change because you do not like it. Truth does not change because it hurts your feelings or makes you feel bad. Truth is simply true.
Someone on hallucinogens may believe he can fly. That does not change the truth that the law of gravity is true. Unfortunately, the families of those that have attempted to jump off buildings believing they can fly have to face the inconvenient truth that truth overpowered the perception of reality.
Truth can hurt. No one likes to hear that they are lazy or incompetent at their jobs during performance reviews. Most people hear bad things and jump to the conclusion that the boss does not know the truth about how great we really are. Maybe we should listen and see what we can do to improve. maybe the boss knows more about you than you think.
I remember one of my first reviews at a job. I knew exactly what they were going to say. I am detail-oriented but am old and slow. I even told the boss that before she started. I was right about what was written, though not in those words. You cannot tell someone they are old on the job for fear of legal ramifications.
The bosses are normally told to tell mention complimentary thing about you and one thing upon which you can improve. To me, this is insane. I know there is more than one thing in which I can improve. I also know that I am better at more than just one thing. However, sometimes we do not want to hear the truth.
There are greater truths that are more inconvenient than those that are job-related. We need to stop trying to find truth in songs, comedy acts, social media or anything like this. Truth stands the test of time and does not change because of our ever-changing culture.
Many people disregard scientific discoveries because it does not coincide with their theological point of view. The inconvenient truths that science has revealed are that people may have misinterpreted the scriptures. Rather than go back and look at the scriptures to see if we missed the point, we choose to ignore science.
Others choose to ignore the scriptures because they cannot believe in something that goes against their cultural biases. Many questions God and his word though they themselves have never read or studied it. Others avoid it claiming hypocrisy in the church. The inconvenient truth here is those same people believe professors, politicians, actors, and scientists forgetting about the hypocrisy that goes on in those professions.
Some people say the truth will set you free. That is not entirely accurate. In order for the truth to set you free, you must know the truth. The Bible says, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Truth is our there for us to know. Do not ignore it because you do not like what it says. Search for truth. Be willing to accept that you may be wrong. Let the truth dictate what you believe and not your own thoughts and feelings.
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