Blushing

Blushing is defined as the reddening of the face from blood rushing to the skin’s blood vessels, usually associated with feelings of embarrassment or shame. The origin of blushing has long been an evolutionary enigma, because no animals are known to blush. This origin problem bothered Darwin and he acknowledged that there is no real survival benefit to the person to blush. This reddish show is produced by our autonomic nervous system, beyond our conscious control. All humans blush, though it is more difficult to see in darker skinned people. Even young children blush, though infants do not. Certain psychologists think that it serves an appeasement function in complex social situations. Blushing facilitates forgiveness and helps built trust. But these tools of self-reflection seem to fit better within a design scenario. God designed us to be able to honestly communicate regret. To lose that appropriate sense of shame is regrettable: “Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush:” (Jeremiah 6:15).

Posted on August 1, 2022 by dwoetzel.