The Dangers of Snap Judgments
We live in a time where it seems like businesses just don't care about their products or the customer who is buying them. Too often we expect only mediocrity at best and so when a product doesn't measure up we say nothing. I have consciously taken a different perspective.
For the past twenty years or more I have gained a reputation in my immediate family. I do not hesitate to call companies if there is a problem with a product. Initially my number one motivation was to make sure a company knew that their product was not meeting the usual standards. I assumed they cared about their reputation and wanted to be sure their product was of reasonably good quality. Many times over the years that assumption has proven true. Twice I received from my favorite grocery store $10 gift certificates after e-mailing them about a problem. My daughter received a nice bag of coffee without charge after I shared with the manager my view of what seemed like a bad procedure for returning damaged products. There have been a few times I am sure I have expressed anger or frustration in the tone of my voice. Usually I just state the facts. I never ask for coupons and rarely replacement products. Even though my primary motivation for following through in this type of situation has remained the same, receiving coupons and product replacement after expressing dissatisfaction has provided a close secondary motivation.How 'bout that, thinking the best of a company can work out well.
No matter what area of life we are dealing with, there are two principles in scripture that apply in this type of situation. We are not to make judgement calls based on faulty or incomplete information. While we wait for more complete information we are to think the best. If sin is revealed we should not be surprised since we know our own record, and we should be ready to deal with it in the appropriate Biblical way.
This concept of not assuming could make the world of difference in all of our relationships with individuals.
How many times have we assumed someone is upset with us or that person has decided they are not interested in pursuing a friendship and then later we find out that they were spending all their time helping a sick family member and they were just distracted? Were you ever convinced your husband was mad at you and then you find out the scowl on his face was the result of an upset stomach? Perhaps you thought he was depressed but he seemed withdrawn because he was planning how to handle a situation at work.
When we assume things about others we demonstrate how me centered we really are. We assume our perception of things is all that matters. We don't need any more facts. We know what we saw and heard. Our conclusions must be accurate. Often our assumptions immediately result in our anger, our hurt feelings. Sometimes our snap judgments of others make us feel better about ourselves. "I may gossip but not as much as she does." "I saw his facial expressions when his wife was talking. I'm sure glad my husband shows me more respect." Rather than loving others by how I act and seeking truth tempered by mercy and patience, I am ruled only by what seems right for me at the moment.
More importantly, snap judgments usually indicate that we are not recognizing God's hand in all of life. We don't seem to be concerned abut how God might be working in our lives or the lives of nonchristians we know, or our brothers and sisters in Christ. A kind word, well placed instead of a quick judgment can become the spiritual turning point for the receiver. Snap judgments communicate that not only are the opinions of others not important but the plans of God do not need to be considered. What marvelous things is God doing in you, and through you in the lives of others? Don't shut yourself off from the blessings God may have for you as you are open to the work of God .
A well known popcorn company sold me a container of caramel corn that when I opened the sealed container after 4 months I found mold on the lid. When I called them, I expected an apology at best. Instead they sent me replacement popcorn. Yes it tasted good. (My husband and I didn't need the calories.) You might say I got a reward for not making a snap judgment about the company. Popcorn pales in comparison to the rewards of trusting God as you see his work in yourself and those who share your life. Quick answers may work well in game shows but rarely in the the real world.
For the past twenty years or more I have gained a reputation in my immediate family. I do not hesitate to call companies if there is a problem with a product. Initially my number one motivation was to make sure a company knew that their product was not meeting the usual standards. I assumed they cared about their reputation and wanted to be sure their product was of reasonably good quality. Many times over the years that assumption has proven true. Twice I received from my favorite grocery store $10 gift certificates after e-mailing them about a problem. My daughter received a nice bag of coffee without charge after I shared with the manager my view of what seemed like a bad procedure for returning damaged products. There have been a few times I am sure I have expressed anger or frustration in the tone of my voice. Usually I just state the facts. I never ask for coupons and rarely replacement products. Even though my primary motivation for following through in this type of situation has remained the same, receiving coupons and product replacement after expressing dissatisfaction has provided a close secondary motivation.How 'bout that, thinking the best of a company can work out well.
No matter what area of life we are dealing with, there are two principles in scripture that apply in this type of situation. We are not to make judgement calls based on faulty or incomplete information. While we wait for more complete information we are to think the best. If sin is revealed we should not be surprised since we know our own record, and we should be ready to deal with it in the appropriate Biblical way.
This concept of not assuming could make the world of difference in all of our relationships with individuals.
How many times have we assumed someone is upset with us or that person has decided they are not interested in pursuing a friendship and then later we find out that they were spending all their time helping a sick family member and they were just distracted? Were you ever convinced your husband was mad at you and then you find out the scowl on his face was the result of an upset stomach? Perhaps you thought he was depressed but he seemed withdrawn because he was planning how to handle a situation at work.
When we assume things about others we demonstrate how me centered we really are. We assume our perception of things is all that matters. We don't need any more facts. We know what we saw and heard. Our conclusions must be accurate. Often our assumptions immediately result in our anger, our hurt feelings. Sometimes our snap judgments of others make us feel better about ourselves. "I may gossip but not as much as she does." "I saw his facial expressions when his wife was talking. I'm sure glad my husband shows me more respect." Rather than loving others by how I act and seeking truth tempered by mercy and patience, I am ruled only by what seems right for me at the moment.
More importantly, snap judgments usually indicate that we are not recognizing God's hand in all of life. We don't seem to be concerned abut how God might be working in our lives or the lives of nonchristians we know, or our brothers and sisters in Christ. A kind word, well placed instead of a quick judgment can become the spiritual turning point for the receiver. Snap judgments communicate that not only are the opinions of others not important but the plans of God do not need to be considered. What marvelous things is God doing in you, and through you in the lives of others? Don't shut yourself off from the blessings God may have for you as you are open to the work of God .
A well known popcorn company sold me a container of caramel corn that when I opened the sealed container after 4 months I found mold on the lid. When I called them, I expected an apology at best. Instead they sent me replacement popcorn. Yes it tasted good. (My husband and I didn't need the calories.) You might say I got a reward for not making a snap judgment about the company. Popcorn pales in comparison to the rewards of trusting God as you see his work in yourself and those who share your life. Quick answers may work well in game shows but rarely in the the real world.
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