Friday Fight 71 - Judgment or Generosity?
Every Friday, when I wake and pray, God places something on my heart to help me fight darkness beginning in our minds. Today is FF71.
How many of us have endured a short or long-term transitional phase that brought down the crashing waves of judgment? We have no control over how people choose to see us or what they say, but judgment still hurts. In times of chaos, we pray that the current will shift and raging waves will settle. We ask ourselves if we will ever reach quiet, calm waters, removing the echoing hurt that constantly replays in our minds. Instead, the echoing clatter of criticism replays persistently; then what?
Judgment or Generosity?
Judgment is a dangerous perspective. Suppose we are shopping and the transaction before us was declined. What are our thoughts? Stolen card, probably not! At that moment, we couldn't possibly know if their bank account was unknowingly compromised, and declining the transaction was the bank's protective measure. Or perhaps someone is judged by their weight but opens the door to the local gym daily. When do we change our judgemental position and instead extend the generosity and grace given to us each day by God?
Imagine the woman who smiles radiantly in the mirror each morning. Little do we know she's successfully fighting an addiction that fights to break her every day. Do we feel judgmental of her past or generous of her new life? Our encouragement and prayer enable others to face their days with spiritual confidence. However, judgment and criticism are like toxic waste being dumped into a beautiful blue oasis. Yes, the contamination may be diluted and seem harmless, but repeated toxins destroy life slowly. Do we judge others' past, or do we generously and graciously encourage and embrace this new life as we stand on the power of forgiveness?
Darkness wants us to judge others. In doing so, it births the sin of pride, which separates us physically and isolates the mind. If you judge, you will be judged! Being generous with our actions and words will reap those same rewards.
The judgment could also be in our minds from the past, or we are judging our past self rather than celebrating our new self in Christ. If you have judged, own it, repent, and move on in Christ. If you have deeply wounded someone, ask God to show you the pain in their heart so you can humbly repent. Only through the application of this hurt to our own lives can we know exactly what we are repenting for. Ask God and the person you hurt to forgive you, then forgive yourself. Let God free you of self-judgment and extend yourself grace. Then, offer those generous perspectives to others by extending grace.
Pastor Shannon
New Life Calvert