Assumptions, Misunderstandings, and Truth

       We all assume things, usually by physical appearance alone. We think we can judge someone by the way they dress; who they are with; or read between the lines in a conversation to see something that may not actually be there. We create an image of this person or certain group, or situation in our minds and believe it so much that to us it becomes truth, without any actual facts to back it up. We are all guilty of this at some point or another; in one fashion or another. It just seems to be human nature to think we know more than we actually do. But that doesn't make it right.
       The Pharisees assumed that because they knew the law of Moses that they could recognize the Messiah, but when he came they believed Jesus to be a dangerous Rabbi and did not recognize him for who he was. They had knowledge, but not understanding, and their own assumptions of what the Messiah would be and do kept them from seeing God's glory. How often are we like the Pharisees? How often do we let our own assumptions of a situation or person keep us from God's glory?
        I am not trying to cut anyone down, and I hope no one feels bad reading this. It's just something that's part of life, it is a flesh reaction, but it's not part of God's plan of how we should be treating other. We are meant to bless each other with kindness and understanding. We are meant to lift one another up. Misunderstandings happen and when they do we should meet them with forgiveness, grace and love, but we should also make the effort to not let it happen in the first place. Before meeting someone with judgment based on your own assumptions, try to understand that person's perspective. Before responding to a situation or comment take a minute to think from that person's point of view, when we meet someone where they are and make an effort to know the truth we will often be surprised by how much farther we can get with people and how they become more receptive to what we have to say. We may also find out what we thought we knew was nothing more than our own assumption. It's not easy to do all the time, and honestly it doesn't always work when you do try, but having a willingness to understand instead of just assumptions, opens many more doors. Today my goal is to give the benefit of the doubt, give a chance for someone to tell me the truth before I think that I know it all, and to met everyone with understanding instead of judgment.

Job 28:20-24

Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell? It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing, concealed even from the birds in the sky. Destruction and Death say, “Only a rumor of it has reached our ears." God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells, for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.