You Never Know What Someone Is Going Through
A couple of nights ago, my husband sent me an old video of Dick Van Dyke. In the video, Dick Van Dyke was doing an interview, and he talked about being an alcoholic. He said that alcoholism is a disease and that certain people’s bodies were born with a disposition toward the disease. He also talked about the assumptions people made about alcoholics and their character.
I don’t know anything about alcoholism, so I can’t comment on what Dick Van Dyke said. But, I do know about judging people and making assumptions about their circumstances without knowing the details of what is going on.
Do you remember seeing a commercial or video where a gentleman was grumbling something negative about everyone he met? I don’t remember all the details, but from his outside perspective, all he could see was laziness, addiction, poor parenting, financial mishandling, etc. Every person he encountered was doing something wrong in his eyes, and he went away, shaking his head in disbelief.
Later in the video, he developed the ability to hear people’s thoughts. When he was returning along the same path, he again encountered the same people and could hear the circumstances that led up to the actions he had previously seen.
A bad doctor’s report, an unforeseen lawsuit, a child who has disabilities, aging parents who need care, the stock market crash, or many other types of scenarios can send you into a tailspin that can’t be seen from the outside. The person who is dealing with the thoughts swirling around in their mind might be preoccupied. They may not say, “I’m sorry” when they bump into you. When someone is under a great deal of stress, they might take out their stress on you. Have you ever been on the receiving end of a verbal attack you didn’t deserve?
Giving someone grace when you’ve been ignored or verbally attacked is not easy. Our feelings are hurt, especially if we feel that the attack was not disserved. Striking back and retaliating are normal responses; we want to feel vindicated.
Matthew 5:39
39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.
I believe that Matthew 5:39 is not about violence and letting someone walk all over you. Instead, it might be about giving someone grace who might be venting. Jesus wants us to respond to all situations with love and forgiveness, and retaliation is not something we should worry about.
There are always going to be people and situations that push you to the breaking point. Responding to evil with evil will never be the correct action to take. Responding humbly, with love, forgiveness, and grace is better than letting the insult fester and set up resentment.
Until you’ve walked a mile in someone else’s shoes, you can’t understand what they are going through. By responding in a compassionate way, we can reflect the light of Jesus and leave resentment behind.
To God Goes The Glory!
Have A Blessed Day!
Amen sister! You are so right. Thanks for your Sunday reflections I really enjoy them and you always his home with me.
Words so true. We really never know what others circumstances or experiences may be. I try not to push my circumstances onto others, very hard sometimes
Thanks for the kind message
Amen, thank you.
Tania, THis spoke to me today. When something bad changes your life forever.you are broken and angry that the world around you goes on.For me I wanted my life back the way I knew it and I would react to other people mean and judge them. I got therapy and I prayed and I always think about I don’t know what that other person is dealing with so I try to be kind offer a hug and just listen. I hope you have a Blessed day .Linda
I totally agree I was brought up to believe there was good in all
I’m a very loving caring person who feels very deeply
so I totally agree with Mathew
but I have a question
how many times should your heart allow the same person to abuse and use this wonderful kind loving giving when there’s not much for themselves
and you’ve forgiven
and want your distance to heal yourself
but others see you as the one with the issue
no issue
just let me heal please
the whole story is not know unless your own eyes ears and ❤️ have seen heard and felt
Laura, according to Matthew 18: 21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”
22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
This is so true, Tania. It is also a wonderful reminder to practice compassion. Thank you for the lesson!
Amen!
Tania,
Thank you for these reminders of grace. How easily we forget to display compassion to others.
“A soft answer turns away wrath.”
The Bible is filled with admonitions of grace. Your post was like “words fitly spoken.”
God bless you.
This post is definitely so true. I’m sure we have all experienced judgement when we were at our lowest, and it does bother us more.
I often think that the people expressing these judgements, must be bitter or miserable themselves. I have found this true with myself and relatives I’ve had to deal with. There’s a saying “misery loves company” and I feel often these miserable people want someone else to feel as they do, or perhaps worse. I’ve learned to respond to unfavorable comments by saying “I hope you enjoy the rest of your day”. It took some time for me to not attack back but I’ve come to decide this: I don’t need to waste not even one minute of my time being angry about something I have no control over. I can’t control what other people say or do, I can only control what I say and do.
Love this. If you don’t mind I would like to share it as a devotional for our Ladies group at church
Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I have been guilty of this more times than I want to admit. A very good reminder.
I love reading your Sunday posts. They always ring true. Blessings to you and your family Tania
Thank you for this kind reminder, Tania! It makes me think about the saying, You Can’t Judge a Book by Its Cover.
So true, Tania❗️
Thank you I needed to read this today. May you have a blessed week.
Thank you Tania. This post was right on for me. It helped me a lot.
Thank you for this very important reminder.
Donna Ray
This was a blessing to read today!
Thanks for this timely reminder!
Unfortunately, the people who really need to hear this message won’t see it.
I enjoy reading your blog and of course, checking out your recommendations . I go to the same stores but somehow miss some of the great pieces you show. Thank you!
This so speaks to my soul today. I was evicted from my home because my Christian neighbors told my landlord I was a sexual predator for taking a picture of their daughter and offering to text it to them. I didn’t do anything wrong. I had served them meals and their kids called me nana. I have lost everything so many times. I want to give up. But God is good and He will do what He says. He cares about every little detail of our lives. But when Christian so called church people Arab you I. The back at every turn. How do we expect to win over someone who isn’t a believer. I would want to enter a church. But I feel the church is right outside our door. Come on people. get ready. The hour is at hand. JESUS IS COMING. AND IF YOU LOOK AROUND. YOU WILL SEE THE KING. IS. IN. THE. ROOM!!
Tara