Beloved, please consider carefully what I write!
Like so many others I used to be quick to evaluate a person by what I saw and heard. Very often it was ugliness that was there. God convicted me, so I asked Him to help me see every person through His eyes, and He gave me this poem. I am sharing the first two verses, and I pray they will change your actions and reactions toward others as they have mine.
Within the heart of every man
There dwells a private pain.
Shards of memory from the past,
Determined to remain.
Regrets that slash and rip and gash.
Piercing wounds, splintered dreams.
Sorrows hack and tear and claw.
Stabbing guilt, anger screams.
That person we are evaluating may be suffering from a recent death, a betrayal, chronic financial woes, wrong choices, chronic illness, a horribly dysfunctional childhood, a broken home—the list could go on and on. And none of us can truly know another’s pain.
God’s word is very explicit about judging others by only what we see. “He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him. Proverbs 18:13 “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. Matthew 7:1-2. “Judge not and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37.
Lord, please forgive us for judging a hurting soul, and help us to show mercy as you have shown us mercy.
Now, I challenge every one of you who are sitting in the judgment seat. What is your pain? Whatever it is, just bring it to Jesus and He will heal. Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and My burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30
–Rebecca Somoskey
