For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:19-21

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Who are we to judge?

Why is it that we always assume the worst in people we don't know? You may think that you are different, but just listen to your thoughts the next time you stand in the checkout line at the grocery store behind a woman that has been there for fifteen minutes, or the next time someone cuts you off and speeds away on the road. Face it, we all have bad, angry, and mean thoughts about people that we have never met or spoken to.
A few weeks ago I decided that I was going to change my way of thinking about others. Those who know me well know that I am a very self conscious person. Talking to strangers or going out into public even was exhausting, for the simple reason of me not knowing what others were thinking about me. So one day while I was praying about this, I had this idea that maybe the reason I think everyone thinks bad of me or judges me to fast, is because maybe I do the same to them. So instead of prejudging others to fast, I thought of a rational idea of why or what they were doing that made me want to think badly of them. And suddenly the speeding car that cut me off a few weeks ago that was an annoyance, now became someone who had an emergency of some sort. Now the lady in the checkout line taking to long, was now someone who was having a bad day and just needed some understanding.
Now that I try to change my perspective of people, it has really made me a happier person. I am not as self conscious as I once was. So, now when I talk to a stranger or have to run an errand on my own and let the world take a good look at me, I say a little prayer, and proceed with confidence.
We should all try this in our day to day lives...it has sure made a profound difference in mine.
~Brit

4 comments:

Unknown said...

AMEN! Britney, this post made me tear up a little. So true and so wise! Thank you!!

Ashley said...

Britney...you make me want to be a better person! Thank you for your thoughts. I think about things like that all the time. Thank you for reminding me how God would want me to think and act!!

~ashley :)

Matt said...

Britney, thanks I really needed and apprecated your post today.

Eddie said...

I'm a little behind on posting this, but Britney, you are so right. I get sarcastic a lot, can you believe that, and it is really hard even to think the nicest things about people. Thanks for the thoughts.