Recently I was having a conversation with someone I do business with. Things had not gone as smoothly as anticipated for either one of us in our dealings. As we were discussing our situation she said, “you have no idea” in regards to the troubles that she had experienced in the last several months. She recounted a couple of incidences about which I was unaware. She was right. I had had no idea. My heart was filled with compassion. I had a new understanding of her circumstance. Yet, I could not help but think about her comment and reply silently to myself; “and you have no idea about mine.”
Every day we interact with people. Family. Friends. Those we walk by on the street, or with whom we share the highway as we drive our cars…and we have no idea. We cannot see the trials and tribulations, the joys and the triumphs that they are going through. We cannot know all of the factors that give them their perspective. Neither can they know and see all of ours. But Jesus can.
Jesus sees the reason behind anger, impatience on the freeway, or the cause of a fallen tear. He sees past wounds causing current behaviors. He has heard words that have been spoken, some harsh and others kind. He sees beyond a person’s emotions and behaviors. He sees the person’s heart.
“Lord thank You that You do not see as we see, but that You see into our hearts. Please help us not to judge others, but grant us grace to understand. May we not be easily offended, but able to see another’s point of view. Help us to bless and pray for one another, for we really ‘have no idea’.”
1 Samuel 16:7b…for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”
Colossians 3:12 (NKJV)Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
1 Peter 3:8 8Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
