As I’ve taught my four children to drive, one of the things I’ve stressed is the need to quickly glance over their shoulders before changing lanes. I don’t know how many accidents I’ve avoided by doing that one simple thing.

Why is that important? Because our side view mirrors do not give a complete picture. We’ve all seen the warning, “Objects in mirror are closer than they appear.” Well, I’d like to see one that says, “Objects in mirror are not the only ones.”

That area just behind the front doors of the car are often not visible in the mirrors. Those are the blind spots. I can see what’s in front of me and I can see what’s behind me, but I can’t see what’s in my blind spots…unless I intentionally look.

Knowing what’s in our blind spots as we drive can save us a lot of trouble and expense. Fortunately, a quick glance over the shoulder reveals what we don’t normally see.

I wish the only blind spots we had to deal with were when we’re driving, but they’re not. We’ve got other ones.

Blind spots exist in our relationships, including our relationships with our spouse and children. They exist in our work and ministry relationships. They even exist in how we do our work and ministry.

Johari’s Window is a useful tool in understanding this idea.

There are things I know about me and you know about me. For example, I like to workout. I know that about me and so do many who know me. My marriage is very important to me. I know that and so do others. I’m pretty easy-going. I know it and others do, too.

Then there are those things that I know about me, but you don’t. These could be fears, insecurities, sins, hidden agendas, etc. I’d tell you what some of mine are, but then they’d no longer fit in this category, would they?

The next area is tricky and we’re not really going to get into it, but it involves those things I don’t know about me and neither do you. Your spouse doesn’t know them. Your best friend doesn’t know them. You don’t know them. No one does…other than God.

Of course, the longer you walk with God and grow in your relationship with your spouse (if you’re married), this area of your life may become better known. You will discover more and more about yourself–both the good and the bad. Who better to help in that process than God and the one committed to you for a lifetime?

Let’s get back to the blind spots for a moment. These are things I don’t know about me, but you do. To be honest, that’s a scary thought. You know things about me that I don’t know. It could be an annoying habit, a weakness, a character flaw, mistakes I make or it could be something good. Whatever it is, I’m blind to it, but you’re not.

Now here’s the thing, blind spots may often be those things that keep us from being more effective. They keep us from reaching our potential. Especially, if our blind spot is a glaring one.

For example, a massage therapist with a bad case of body odor is in trouble if no one tells her. Her clients, the few she has, know she has a problem, but she doesn’t. Unless a friend, supervisor, co-worker or client tells her, she’s never going to be successful.

Now you may read that and think, “Come on, how could she not know?”

That’s easy, it’s a blind spot for her.

You would think she would know, because it’s so apparent to everyone else, but she doesn’t. That’s the nature of your blind spots. Blind to you, but not to us.

Do you know some of your blind spots?

No, you don’t. But others do.

You’ll never know what your blind spots are unless you’re willing to be vulnerable and open yourself up to others you can trust, giving them permission to tell you the truth.

Your marriage is the perfect place for this to occur. A good friend or trusted c0-worker can also help.

Do you want deeper more fulfilling relationships? Greater success in your work? Do you want to move past a “sticking point” in your life?

You may need to address your blind spots.

There’s something standing in your way though. Pride.

Proud people don’t want to hear the truth. Proud people get defensive when they do hear it. Proud people want to do things their way.

Pride was Satan’s downfall. It’s ours too.

The humble though are willing to receive the truth. In fact, they seek it out. They understand they don’t have all the answers and don’t see what others see. Humble people know they have blind spots and are also secure enough in their relationship with Christ to receive hard feedback.

James 4:6 says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

We can walk in pride and remain blind to those things others see, but we don’t. Or we can walk in humility and open ourselves up to others who will tell us the truth. Not to hurt us, but for our good.

So what are you going to do? Walk in pride or humility?

If you do nothing, we already have the answer, don’t we?