“So in everything, do to others what you
would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 7:12
When I read that Scripture my mind takes me to the homeless person; it's a reality I can relate to. My story includes that too. By God's immeasurable grace it no longer is my reality, but I can relate. So I want to treat that person the way I had hoped someone would have treated me when I was in that space. I know what it feels to be hungry and not have two coins to rub together for an apple.
Compassion is a gift I'm grateful to have. Putting myself in other's shoes is something I try and practise each day. So reading that verse again I thought "I get it", but in truth I've never thought about "do to others" in the context of communication.
I sadly confess that my attitudes and words don't always line up with that Scripture, specifically when I've been hurt. And most commonly in my personal relationships. Perhaps because they matter more; perhaps because my expectations are higher. I don't know. The truth is my natural instinct is to react, to defend, to hurt back.
It's awful. I know.
It's my weakness.
I recognise it.
I want to change it.
And I'm grateful the Lord has highlighted it for me; now the work must begin.
So this is where perspective comes in. Consider the law of "do to others" this way.
"Get your feelings hurt by others in the way that you would want their feelings hurt by you."
"Get treated defensively the way you treat others defensively."
"Give the cold shoulder in the same way you would want others giving you the cold shoulder."
"Have high expectations of others in the same way you want them to have high expectations of you."
"Let your mistakes not be easily forgotten the same way you don't easily forget others' mistakes."
I don't know about you but that makes me cringe; I want to crawl out of my skin and pretend this is not my mind, not my attitudes, not my heart.
And here's the lesson.
Even if I'm the one who's hurting, the responsibility lies with me. Treating others the way I want to be treated.
Compassion in my words.
Compassion in my words.
Do not hold onto the wrongdoings. do to others. Do not use your situation to be unloving. Even when you may be in the right, do not repay the hurt with hurt. do to others. Show love the way you want to be shown love. Listen the way you want to be heard. Be understanding the way you want to be understood. do to others.
I want it to always be said of me:
“she
opens her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of
kindness.” – Proverbs
31:26
I'm going to be practising doing unto others. Join me?
Disclaimer: All the images contained in this post are not my own. If you have copyright to them, please contact me and I will remove them immediately.
