by bossychick~I know, its 'fuzzy wuzzy was a bear' but I got it from a show I like and I think it sounds cute... moving on...
I recently saw this saying, 'remember this: when you think you know... you don't... you've only assumed, under false pretenses'
I think I would re-word it to say '... you don't... you've only formed an opinion from your perception', either way it goes right along with what God has been showing me lately.... things are not always ( and by not always I mean never) how I perceive them to be, and I should stop forming opinions and judgments of people based on my perception.
I have never considered myself a judgmental person, but after really trying to apply 'judge not, lest ye be judged in the same manner' in my life, I realize that without meaning to, I have been.
It is so easy for us to form a quick opinion of why WE think somebody said or did something, or what WE think a person should do... when what we should really be doing, if we are being what God has called us to be to one another, is lifting that person up in prayer and asking God to give them His wisdom in dealing with their situation....
What we should NOT be doing is running our mouths wide open to other people, because... news flash, all that does is alter their perception of that person, and usually not in a good way. The word says 'do to other's what you would have them do to you'. I don't want people saying negative things about me, so I'm not going to say negative things about others.
If you can't answer yes to these questions, when you are getting ready to tell another person something, about somebody else, then, again... news flash, DON'T SAY WHAT YOU WERE GOING TO SAY..... #1 Would I say this if the person were standing right here? #2 Is this uplifting to the person I'm talking about? #3 Would I want this said about me?
If you can't answer no to these questions, then... news flash, DON'T SAY WHAT YOU WERE GOING TO SAY... # 1 Have I formed an opinion based on my perception of this situation? # 2 Am I sowing 'discord among the brethren'? # 3 Has this person annoyed me because they have struck a nerve in me? ( translation: its really my problem, not theirs, I'm just being too stupid to look at myself and be honest right now, so I'm going to trash this person, to somebody else, so I can further fuel my denial)
So back to basics, the definition of perceive: To become aware of directly through any of the senses, especially sight or hearing.
Last time I checked the only 'being' that could see all, hear all, and knows all is God, ( minus the fact that OUR senses fail us all the time) so really He's the ONLY one who knows why anybody does, or says anything. So here is something for you to wrap your mind around or ask yourself or whatever... Am I like God, that I can say I know why somebody else does, or says anything? Well, news flash (this is 4th one btw) my answer was NO! and not NO! but HECK NO!
I mean really think about it. Do you think you REALLY know others from the amount of time( sometimes 1 day or one meal) that you are with them? Can you really say that you do, or is it only your perception of them? When other people annoy you, do you talk about them (perceiving them as annoying) or do you try to look past the behavior to the root of why they are acting that way, and then lift them up in prayer? ...
Unless you're God, don't be so sure that what you think is the gospel's truth.
That is all, you do what I say- Bossy
Yes & Yes!
Posted by: Christy | August 02, 2010 at 12:59 PM
Great post. If all were honest, we all struggle with this. I notice most striking when we are TIRED and in a HURRY and easily irritated. Which is when . . . all the time?
The more we try to cram in, the less we have time for people. To give them the same allowances we would want.
My personal theme for this upcoming school year is "living with grace." Even when the world is seemingly falling down around me, I will still act in a way befitting grace. I have a long learning curve on this one so far. Urghhh . . . darn flesh.
Posted by: photochick | August 03, 2010 at 12:28 AM
This is great stuff! You really hit the nail on the head. It is human nature to judge people. But, for me, the difference in displaying Christian behavior is 1)knowing when to keep your thoughts to yourself 2)asking God to forgive you for having those ugly thoughts 3) humbling yourself to pray for your enemy. I have really been struggling with some of these things. This was a great testimony for my soul.
It is also helpful when you get to a point in your walk with God that you no longer care when people talk about you.
Posted by: Lisa Taylor | August 03, 2010 at 12:28 AM
stepping on toes? Yes I think so. Do my toes need some stomping on? Yes, definitely. Thanks for sharing Bossy!
Posted by: Ketura | August 04, 2010 at 03:09 PM
This is SO right on and I think God has been dealing with several on this very issue. Perception....is NOT reality! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: singerchick | August 05, 2010 at 01:01 PM
Great post! It is so easy to judge when you think people aren't doing things the way that you do them or the way you think they should do them! Trying to see past people and their actions but loving them through God's eyes! So hard some times!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: socialchick | August 06, 2010 at 09:58 PM
"try to look past the behavior to the root of why they are acting that way, and then lift them up in prayer" This is sooo true! I have been dealt with strongly along these lines lately. I never want to make others form opinions that would hinder someones walk or friendships.
Posted by: Amy | August 12, 2010 at 12:47 AM