How many times have I judged another person’s actions based on my perceptions? Too many I am afraid. It becomes so painfully apparent when I am on the receiving end of such a judgment call. Lord help me to be sensitive to your leading more than my need to be approved or to have my opinion heard. Although I agree that fellow Christians are to endeavor to help one another stay on the straight and narrow--we should be doubly sure that we are not being legalistic and setting forth a standard that God has not called us to.
I know I have been guilty of judging others in the past. And honestly I really didn’t know what my friend or family member was dealing with. I used to be a rule-follower believing that would enable me to be a better Christian. But I have learned the best way to be a better Christian is to be real with the Lord and with people. That means I cannot be perfect and I need to be ok with that. The Lord God created me so He’s not surprised by my failings and shortcomings. In fact, I believe His mercy reaches out to minister then--and I am more able to look to Him for my strength and healing because of those same weaknesses.
Now I can be honest and I can say I am not where I want to be in my relationship with the Lord but I am not running from Him. I’m just learning to slow down and let Him work in me and on me--healing my body, my mind and my spirit. In the past, I was overwhelmed and in too big of a hurry to allow Him to work because people were depending on me. I’m learning to say “no” and I’m learning to rest. The Lord is delivering me from being a people pleaser and from a performance-based mindset. I am trying to listen for the Lord’s direction in the things that I do and say. Even though some difficult issues have presented themselves in my life, I am not abandoning my faith in the One who has all the answers.
So, friends, let’s be cautious about making assumptions and do not judge others when they don’t do what you think they should be doing. Walk beside them and show them your love, concern and support. And above all, use your words to pray to our Father to meet the needs represented in their lives. When our brothers and sisters in Christ are experiencing challenging times, be a blessing not a burden.
Romans 14:13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.
