Friday... This can make such a difference in our relationships.

At one point in my life I decided in my relationships to give people the benefit of doubt in their actions toward me. And I still strive to do it. And it really has make a difference in my attitude toward people. That came about during my time in striving to become a positive person.

Now the Bible has some reinforcement of this.

Psalm 75:7 (NLT) says, "It is God alone who judges; he decides who will rise and who will fall." Now Jesus on the cross was a great example of this. In Luke 23:34 he said, "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing." He knew that it was not up to him to judge them but his Father and Jesus was asking for God's grace to be upon them. Grace is another way to say giving them the benefit of doubt. That was how Jesus handled the injustice of them killing an innocent, perfect man. Judgement to him was what God did but he also knew of God's amazing grace. Jesus in his humaneness was giving them grace. He was giving them the benefit of doubt. "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing."

Grace or giving them the benefit of doubt instead of judgement can make such a difference in our relationships.

Proverbs 15 has some thoughts on this, verses that reinforce this.

Verse 1 says, "A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare."

Verse 4, "Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit." The Amplified Bible says, "A soothing tongue [speaking words that build up and encourage] is a tree of life, but a perversive tongue [speaking words that overwhelm and depress] crushes the spirit."

Judgement doesn't bring gentle words, speaking words that build up and encourage but grace does. "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing."

Verse 18 NLT), "A hot-tempered person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them."

Verse 23, "Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time."

Verse 28 says, "The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words." The Message says, "Prayerful answers come from God-loyal people; the wicked are sewers of abuse."

Again Jesus on the cross about ready to die an unjust death prays in Luke 23:34, "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing."

Giving people the benefit of doubt can make such a difference in our relationships. Yes, yes! #todaysbeginning

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