Lookiing for the good in people is not something I do naturally. I want to have that quality for I admire it when I see it in others. I admire the faith and optimism of looking for and then see the good in those around me. Unfortunately, that trait continues to elude me. The fact is, a number of people have let me down over the years. That has (unfairly) colored my expectations of others.
I wonder if my less than charitable view of others becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Is my failure contributing to their failure? If they sense my lack of faith in them, could it cause them to stop trying? I excuse myself by saying, "Well, my opinion is not important." And that's true. My opinion is not important. But maybe on a particular day when someone needs to be believed in, my faith--or lack of faith--in him could make a difference.
I wasn't always this way. I used to look for and see the good. In everyone. Age, experience, disappointment, and my own all-too-human nature erased that childlike belief that everyone is (usually) doing their best.
This I know for sure: looking for and finding the good in others is a Christ-like quality that I would do well to emulate.
There are many around us who have so much good in them and I do think you're right. On a particular day, they might really need to hear that.
ReplyDeleteAt least you used to see that in others. I tend not to give people the chance to hurt me. Looking for the good in people is a quality that seems all uphill to me.
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