It’s Worth Understanding People

All of us like to be understood. When somebody tells us, “I understand your situation”, we feel so much relief and satisfaction.
To be understood is equal to being accepted. Only those who understand a person can accept that person and bring positive change in that person.

There is a remarkable story in the Bible (Luke 10:30–35) about a Samaritan helping a half-dead man lying on the wayside, robbed and deserted. A priest and a Levite – both, Jewish religious people – came that way but seeing him, passed by on the other side. Then the Samaritan came and helped the man like his own brother.
What prompted the Samaritan to do such a noble work which others didn’t do? Chances are that he understood the helpless man’s state because he and his people were also treated as detestable by the religious Jews of the time, as history suggests. He also has tasted the pain and shame of being rejected and ridiculed. That helped him identify himself with the helpless man. And he accepted him and helped him like his kinsman!
Look around and find people whom you can identify with. May be it is someone who is suffering a loss, or someone who deals with a broken relationship, or someone struggling with an addiction. Whatever it may be, you can find some whom you can identify with, accept and be a channel of healing to their lives.
Jesus Christ did the same for us. He understood and accepted us as we are because he experienced what we experience. The Scripture says, “For we do not have a High Priest (i.e. Jesus Christ) who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but one who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning.” - Hebrews 4:15-16

- – - written by Joe Abraham

http://www.turnbacktogod.com/