Judged

 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. ~Matthew 7:1-5

Social media is a wonderful tool to keep you in the know of where you stand with people. You can see how many people have seen what you have posted, how many have ignored it, how many "likes" you get, and more recently, now many "reactions" you get.

What a wonderful gage for being ignored! I see it time and time again. Someone made a snafu, in someone's book anyway; and the secret gossip spreads throughout chats, custom posts and personal messages.. Next thing you know this person has heartfelt posts that are either not responded to, or at least not responded to by a certain group of people. This is a great example of how things go in real life.

"You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the LORD."  ~Leviticus 19:16

Even if what is said comes from what we deem as a trustworthy source, there are two sides to every story. All versions of a story, even those that come from us are colored with our own perceptions and lenses that comes from a lifetime of experience, baggage and yes, most likely issues we still have to work on.

Regardless of that, we have no right to judge others, only God does. It amazes me to see others walk away from someone because of what they think they have done, because they have an illness they don't understand, or simply because they think something. What is even more perplexing to me, is when they have discussed it with everyone but that person!

If there was one thing my parents did teach me correctly, it was to treat people the way I would want to be treated. I hope you have never experienced this. If you have, or are being treated this way, I would like to say a few things. The only approval we need is from God. He loves us and is not going anywhere. Do not respond to what is happening. Be the bigger person and behave as Jesus would. Trials such as these give the opportunity to show who Christ is. Think of things that are pure, noble, beautiful and true. Stay in prayer and let the Lord transform your mind. Pray for those who seek to hurt you and you will be blessed.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. ~Phillipians 4:8

Do not Conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. ~Romans 12:2

Remember, this is our temporary home. We are on our way to a much more beautiful place, where we will no longer have to bear these trials.

We are all flawed, every one of us. Every one on a journey with Christ is in the process of being molded and shaped into who He wants us to be. Meanwhile, we have our weaknesses and character defects God is working on in us. He sees us as the people we are going to be, through the eyes of love. Maybe we need to soften our views of each other and instead of gossiping and judging, keep being a friend of your fellow sinner; for we are all sinners and have much work to still be done on ourselves.

A Story I Love To Tell

A young woman spends several months preparing to let go of her long-suffering sister…
Her sister takes a turn for the better and is released after over a year of hospitalization.

A woman estranged from her two brothers for ten years after the death of their mother . . .
Her brother calls her twice in one week and they have been reconnecting.

Another woman harbors hurt and mistrust towards a loved one…
She and her loved one are now in counseling and confronting, confessing and releasing what has stood between them.

It is so wonderful when God’s love and healing power moves in our lives in such obvious ways.  In all of these situations mentioned above God has changed what seemed to be almost hopeless circumstances. The three woman mentioned above are all part of a new Christ-centered support group. I have been blessed to witness how God is transforming the lives of our support group members while we meet and pray, shared the Word, and provide encouragement and support to each other.

I am so blessed to be a part of a group that is seeking God in the deepest, most sincere way. Each member has an incredible story to tell, and it is amazing to see them caring and supporting each other despite having so much to live with and deal with individually. God has done incredible things in their lives, providing testimonies that declare to the world "look at what God has done!" Their lives are far from perfect, and they have still face immense struggles, but I am seeing scripture come alive in these people.

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Romans 5:3-5

When we personally have a chronic or devastating illness, or we have a loved one with such an illness, trials are a common occurrence and they can sometimes last through long periods of time. Recovery does come, many times in the form of spiritual recovery.  Complete physical recovery will often only come when our loved one or we is made complete in his presence in Heaven.  Accepting this is a hard pill to swallow, as it was for Paul, when he asked God three times to remove his thorn.

Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:8-10

I have learned so much from our group members. I see the Holy Spirit in each of them as I have watched them praise despite their personal storms, witness to others facing storms, and always be transparent about their struggles. We walk in grace together,helping each other  through the valleys and sharing the view from the mountaintops.

Thank you Lord for giving each of us that view! Thank you for always being with us, no matter what is happening and for always bringing us through! Thank you for teaching us that Your grace is sufficient in our weakness!