Are we too quick to judge sometimes?

It’s so easy to form an opinion about a person within just a few minutes of meeting them, as we react perhaps to their appearance, behaviour or any initial comments they make. On the other hand, Christians believe that God challenges us to see more deeply into a person, recognising not only outward things but also that individual’s value as a human being and their potential.

In the Bible we find Jesus calming not only physical storms but also the storms and disruptions in people’s lives such as sickness, prejudice and rejection by others. He said ‘I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.’

Learning to see people as God sees them, with all their gifts and possibilities, can transform how we relate to and view others. By encouraging, listening and sharing our views and opinions respectfully we can build up relationships and share the love of God in a meaningful way. Mother Teresa of Calcutta’s caring attitude towards the poor was a wonderful illustration of this.

Another very helpful principle with regard to relationships is to treat others as you would like to be treated yourself. George Washington Carver once said ‘How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these.’

Written by Nick and Joyce Hallam from Hawkshead.

To share an insight about how your faith impacts your view of things, please contact: faithviewpoint@gmail.com.