Increase your website traffic with AutomaticSiteMap.com

Food-For-Thought

Judgment is best curtailed and put into perspective by Empathy and Understanding:

WORRING!
Worrying is like a rocking chair.
It gives you something to do.
But it doesn't get you anywhere.
Readers Digest

GOOD THINGS
Good things happen to those who
make the best of things
that happen to them.
CNN

Judgment is highly counter-indicative (opposed) to Bible teachings as described in Matt. 7: 1, 2.　 1"Judge not, that you be not judged. 2For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you".

It is hard to judge others when one views them through the lens of empathy and understanding.　 Empathy is described by Carl Rogers as"... the state of empathy or being empathic is to perceive the internal frame of reference of another with accuracy and with the emotional components and means which pertain thereto as if one were the person...".　 And the American Heritage Dictionary Of The English Language defines empathy as "understanding so intimate that the feelings, and motives of one are readily comprehended by another."
　　　 1 Samuel 16:7 states: 　 "Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
This verse was revisited by Edith Fitch in a Devotional as she describes an incident of judging-a-book by its cover:
One day my friend's neighbours sat in their car, parked on a busy street, waiting for a passenger they had brought to town for an appointment. As they waited, they saw harried mothers with tagging
children; men dressed in business suits, carrying attaché cases; and young women pausing at shop windows before entering. In contrast, seniors walked by with slow, painful steps, while giggling teenage girls lightly skipped.

When an audacious group of fellows appeared, the couple examined them closely: hair dyed with lighter streaks; long hair pulled back in ponytails; short spiked hair. Baggy pants with the crotch hanging to the knees or torn pants with kneecaps showing. Faded oversized shirts
emblazoned with slogans across the chest. Shuffling feet in heavy boots. Boisterous laughter and shouting. The couple eyed the boys suspiciously as they jostled from one side of the street to the other, pausing at the parking meters and giving them a thump.

These guys are up to no good, they thought. Feeling uneasy as the boys neared their car, the couple locked the doors and tried to appear unconcerned. They relaxed momentarily as the boys sauntered by. Suddenly one of the boys returned, fumbled with the meter, then dashed off. It was then the driver realized that they had been so engrossed with people watching that the meter had run out of time. The unkempt looking lad had reloaded their meter.

The driver jumped out of the car to shout, "Thank you!" The lad hollered back, "No problem. We do it all the time."

Many times I have prejudged and misjudged others by their dress and actions. I frequently have to tell myself, Edith, you're looking on theoutward appearance! Remember, the Lord looks on the heart (1 Sam. 16:7). Then I ponder the scolding Jesus gave the scribes and Pharisees
for outwardly appearing righteous while being full of hypocrisy and iniquity within (Matt. 23:28). It causes me to wonder how I rate in the eyes of others. More important, what does my heart reveal?