Everyone has blind spots in their lives. As the name suggests, they are not easily visible. Identifying your blind spots often requires intentional reflection or the trusted feedback from a friend.
When I reflected on my own life, two blind spots stood out immediately. Firstly, I have difficulty asking for help. Secondly, I have a tendency to guard my heart too closely.
But I did not discover these blind spots on my own. Rather, my close friends lovingly pointed them out to me. In doing this, they showed that they cared enough to share these insights with me.
Earlier, I firmly believed that I had to handle everything independently because I wanted to avoid being a burden on others and did not want to show vulnerability. In my past, I felt let down and feared rejection. So these blind spots grew out of these experiences.
Although I was somewhat aware of them, I did not realise how much it influenced my actions. As a result, I instinctively built emotional walls to shield myself from potential hurt. Since these blind spots stemmed from past heartbreak and disappointment, they led me to believe that by protecting myself I could avoid pain.
However, over time, I realised that my reluctance to seek help was hindering my personal growth. It was unnecessarily adding stress to my life. Similarly, while guarding my heart was serving as a defence mechanism, it became something that was impeding my ability to truly engage in relationships and form deep friendships.
These blind spots kept me from being open and vulnerable—essential qualities for the development of genuine relationships.
Understanding Your Blind Spots
Blind spots are parts of our thoughts, emotions, behaviours, or patterns of which we are unaware, or struggle to recognise. They can hinder personal growth and relationships, as they may contribute to harmful or ineffective behaviours and beliefs.
Uncovering our blind spots is necessary because it allows us to gain insight into our patterns and underlying issues. It empowers us to make positive changes and grow towards greater self-awareness.
Identifying Your Blind Spots
Blind spots have to be revealed to us. One way we can discover them is to be asking ourselves the right questions. Here are some key questions we should be asking ourselves that cover different areas of our lives.
Take Time to Reflect
Am I open to facing uncomfortable truths about myself? Do I have a growth mindset? Am I genuinely seeking to align my thoughts and actions with the word of God?
Desire Feedback From Trusted Sources
Am I willing to listen to feedback from friends, family, or mentors?Do I actively seek different perspectives and opinions? Can I handle constructive criticism without getting defensive?
Pay Attention to the Patterns in Your Life
Do you notice recurring themes or situations that cause frustrations or conflicts? Are any patterns in your reactions or behaviours contributing to these situations?
Uncovering our blind spots is necessary because it allows us to gain insight into our patterns and underlying issues.
Explore Emotional Triggers
What situations or topics tend to evoke strong emotional reactions in me? Do I notice recurring themes or beliefs associated with these emotional triggers?
Seek a Gospel-Centered Community
Have I considered seeking guidance from my church family, which can provide objective insights into my blind spots? (Eph. 1:18) Am I open to exploring deeper aspects of my emotions, relationships, and behaviours with my church family? Is there anything I should consider or be more mindful of to align my life with gospel-centered living?
Engage in Prayer and Seek God’s Guidance
Am I consistently praying for wisdom, discernment, and the willingness to see my blind spots? Have I asked God to reveal areas of weakness or patterns that may need attention?
As you do this, here are some practical questions you can ask yourself.
- Are there any areas in my life where my actions or attitudes do not align with the teachings of Scripture?
- When was the last time I genuinely repented of my thoughts and actions and asked Jesus for help?
- Am I truly seeking God’s guidance and wisdom in all areas of my life, or are there areas where I am relying too heavily on my understanding?
- What recurring patterns or themes in Scripture am I struggling to apply or fully understand in my own life? Why?
- Are any areas of pride or self-righteousness hindering my spiritual growth?
Invite the Conviction of the Holy Spirit
Identifying your blind spots involves praying and asking the Holy Spirit to help you grow in self-awareness. The good news is that the Holy Spirit is our Counsellor and Advocate. By inviting his guidance, we open ourselves to his transformative work in our lives (Acts 26:17-18).
As you ask yourself these questions, meditate on Scripture and seek God’s guidance through prayer. Be open to the insights and conviction that may arise. Humbly surrender yourself to God’s work in your heart. Remember that self-reflection and prayer is an ongoing process. It is vital to continually seek God’s guidance to uncover and address any blind spots in your life.
