One thing I am realizing that really triggers my anger is when I feel like I am being portrayed as something or someone that I am not. I am not quite sure why people do this, but we do. When we meet people we are quick to make judgments or assumptions. We fill in the gaps about who people are or why they are doing what they do often without really knowing – or even investigating the truth of it. Then, as if that were not bad enough, we increase the impact of our thoughts or words by spreading them to others – as if they were solid factual truths – which they are not.
What happened to investing in people?
What happened to the concept of giving others the benefit of the doubt?
Why can we not wrap our heads around the fact that people do the best that they can?
Why are we unwilling – especially as people claiming to be Christians – to help walk alongside those who are struggling and treat them like family?
Here’s what I see: We are too busy believing that others are less important than myself. We believe that my ways and ideas are right, and if you differ from them, you are not only wrong – but likely unintelligent. We believe that our opinions and the spread of them matter more than the relationship potential at stake.
Here’s what I know: While I identify as a teacher, teachers are not one person – therefore it is foolish to assume we all carry the same beliefs, skills, or interests. While I identify as a woman, women are not one person- therefore it is foolish to assume we all carry the same beliefs, skills, or interests. I could say the same for mothers, Christians, introverts, advocates- however I am actually identifying myself – I am uniquely made AND I hate being misrepresented or lumped into a category that doesn’t align with who I am.
I cannot stand it.
Here’s the thing: Neither can God. What we don’t understand or know about God we often make up. We try and fit God into our box of limited thought and present a God that we may even claim to know – incorrectly.
Job’s friends were doing this. To be fair, Job was somewhat doing this too. We fill in the gaps when we question and don’t understand the actions or nature of God. All throughout the book, Job’s friends are speaking about God and parts of what they are saying are actually true. They sound good. But they are attached to pieces that misrepresent God. By the end of the book – in the last few chapters, in fact – God has shown up and began revealing His power and putting Job in place. Job’s response? “I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.” (Job 42:5-6) Job realized 1) God’s power, and 2) his error, and then in an act of humility he repents.
Friend, lest you believe that this misrepresentation doesn’t really bother God: “After the LORD had finished speaking to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “I am angry with you and your two friends, for you have not spoken accurately about me, as my servant Job has.” (Job 42:7)
No wonder it bothers God! It bothers us, too! And we, unlike God, are neither perfect nor powerful! We are not the standard to meet or strive for! We are simply one creation of the Creator of the Universe. We were made in His image.
We need to stop filling in gaps and believing the worst about people (whom God created, by the way). We need instead, to invest in them. See them. Encourage them. Love them. Be kind to them. Represent them fairly.
We have work to do. But with God’s help, nothing is impossible.
Blessings!