“That’s stupid.” If you’ve ever said or heard or thought something like this, you know how automatic and painful judging can be.
Jesus reminds us in the Sermon on the Mount not to judge the speck in our neighbor’s eye when there is a log in our own (Matthew 7:1-5).
When we are hurting, we often judge and harm others with accusations, attacks, blame, criticism, demands, distance or worse. Sometimes we’re just plain mean. Martin Luther invites us to see our neighbor and interpret her words in the best possible light. At an interpersonal level, this could mean giving a child, partner or colleague the benefit of the doubt.
While our brains are wired for hasty judgments, we are also created for connection. By slowing down, learning to listen, attempting to understand others as they would want to be understood, and interpreting what others say and do in the best possible light, we experience the delight of human love and community.
This message is an excerpt of “Snap judgment” by Bev Stratton in the April 2018 issue of Gather magazine.
Do you enjoy these free Daily Grace messages? If so, donate now to further the ministry.