Be Careful About Judging Others
As we go through life, we may be inclined to judge others by their appearance and by the things we see on the exterior. People are often judged unwittingly on looks, age, size, clothing, and other physical characteristics over which they may have little or no control because of the circumstances which have come into their lives.
Appearances can be deceiving and often do not reflect what a person is like underneath. What really matters is what is in the heart of a person. That does not show on first glance or just by outward appearances. Getting to know a person is required to know the heart of that person. Their feelings, concerns, and personality are not known at first glance. Reaching out and learning about the person quite likely will show a different opinion than a bad one received upon the first meeting.
It is so easy to make a quick and rash judgment about another person. If someone rubs us the wrong way or seems to snub us, it is normal to immediately develop a huge dislike for that person. There may be reasons for their actions which we cannot know or understand. Sometimes getting to know a person will take away those feelings. Other times we will never get to know them well enough to like them, but we are only hurting ourselves with our bad feelings toward another person.
A great, wonderful heart may be hiding within a body which is undesirable to look at without knowing the person. Perhaps life has been difficult which has caused the person to show the wear and tear of a life on the street. Maybe the loss of a loved one has caused such enormous pain that he has been unable to function in life, causing him to lose his job and home. Perhaps the hardships of outside influences have caused a person to eat excessively and become obese. Maybe he is a good and kind person inside, but the appearance of his body keeps people from getting to know him.
Several years ago I attended a convention in a large hotel. At the same hotel at that time was another group holding a similar convention. Theirs was an organization of people who were extremely overweight. It was amazing to see so many people of such large sizes congregated in one spot. It was, however, also interesting to see how cheerful they were. They were laughing and enjoying each other and were obviously happy to be there. They were jovial and in good spirits in the hallways and the elevators. They were probably judged unfairly in other situations, but here they were among friends who knew them and loved them.
It is extremely difficult to know what is going on in another person's life. Walking in their shoes is not possible. Understanding and compassion should be encouraged as a way of life. Judging others unfairly happens all the time, but we should try not to be guilty of it ourselves. We should be careful about judging others.
.
Appearances can be deceiving and often do not reflect what a person is like underneath. What really matters is what is in the heart of a person. That does not show on first glance or just by outward appearances. Getting to know a person is required to know the heart of that person. Their feelings, concerns, and personality are not known at first glance. Reaching out and learning about the person quite likely will show a different opinion than a bad one received upon the first meeting.
It is so easy to make a quick and rash judgment about another person. If someone rubs us the wrong way or seems to snub us, it is normal to immediately develop a huge dislike for that person. There may be reasons for their actions which we cannot know or understand. Sometimes getting to know a person will take away those feelings. Other times we will never get to know them well enough to like them, but we are only hurting ourselves with our bad feelings toward another person.
A great, wonderful heart may be hiding within a body which is undesirable to look at without knowing the person. Perhaps life has been difficult which has caused the person to show the wear and tear of a life on the street. Maybe the loss of a loved one has caused such enormous pain that he has been unable to function in life, causing him to lose his job and home. Perhaps the hardships of outside influences have caused a person to eat excessively and become obese. Maybe he is a good and kind person inside, but the appearance of his body keeps people from getting to know him.
Several years ago I attended a convention in a large hotel. At the same hotel at that time was another group holding a similar convention. Theirs was an organization of people who were extremely overweight. It was amazing to see so many people of such large sizes congregated in one spot. It was, however, also interesting to see how cheerful they were. They were laughing and enjoying each other and were obviously happy to be there. They were jovial and in good spirits in the hallways and the elevators. They were probably judged unfairly in other situations, but here they were among friends who knew them and loved them.
It is extremely difficult to know what is going on in another person's life. Walking in their shoes is not possible. Understanding and compassion should be encouraged as a way of life. Judging others unfairly happens all the time, but we should try not to be guilty of it ourselves. We should be careful about judging others.
.
Source...