The way I see it, many of us are too quick to rush to judgement of situations without really studying the situation long enough to understand it from all angles. I am extremely guilty of this. I will try to explain what I am talking about.

Sometimes, there will be something reported on the news that causes me to instantly judge the people involved without even trying to understand the situation from the point of view of those involved. I will immediately form my own opinion of why whoever foolishly allowed themselves to be caught in whatever circumstances that prompted their fifteen minutes of fame (shame?) on national television. I apply all of my own personal history and learning to the event without even considering that things may not be that concretely defined by my reality.

I could give many examples of this, but I feel that one will suffice. I am thinking about times when the news reports that someone was either rescued after driving into a flooded roadway, or worse yet, was washed away and killed. Whenever I see a story of that kind, I instantly think something like, "How many times do you have to hear 'turn around, don't drown' before it sinks in?" Whether or not I choose to admit or even acknowledge it on a personal level, I have a sense of superiority. I am obviously much smarter than the victim in question. I know better than to drive into a roadway that is covered with rushing water. That would never happen to me.

I wonder how many people would admit to jumping to thoughts like I've had while watching news stories:

-Some people don't think things through.
-They should have had insurance.
-That's what happens when you don't teach your kids right from wrong.
-That's what happens when you marry too young.
-That's why you don't lend money.
-That's what happens when you drive like a maniac.
-People need to live within their means.
-Anyone should have seen that coming.
-You can't fix stupid!
-Is anyone really that stupid?

Yep. I have found it all to easy to be a truly smug son of a bitch. To make matters worse, I consider myself a Christian. My faith has always told me that, "Ours is not to judge." But, here I am realizing how judgmental I truly have been.

I can't change what I've done in the past. But, I can work hard to re-program my ways of thinking. In the future, instead of jumping to a quick opinion about the situations affecting others, I'll try to stop and consider some of these questions:

-Why did this happen?
-What factors led up to them being caught in this situation?
-Did they have the advantages and privileges that shaped my present circumstances?
-What thoughts led them here?
-Were there readily available options for them?
-Is there something that only they know about the situation?
(Going back to flood situations... I know of a young woman who stopped at a red light in San
Antonio. She looked to her right and saw a wall of water coming at her out of nowhere. She had to
be rescued. Sometimes, things just happen.)
-Is there a lesson in this situation for me?
-Is there some way I can take action to help prevent others from being in this situation in the future?
-Instead of judging, have I prayed for this person?

I don't expect to become perfect at any of this. But, I do know that I am totally capable of changing my behaviors when I truly want to. How about you? The way I see it, we can all improve on this.







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