The frustration of being misunderstood may lead to other ills that will play havoc with your emotions and relationship with family, friends and even foes.
Words taken out of context intentionally or perhaps by accident warp the truth we intended to communicate. I know what it feels like to be misunderstood. People are inclined to formulate an opinion or embrace their own narrative of what is fact. The trouble is I’ve also been guilty of the same error. We all have the propensity to take a word or statement far too personally. We give it a life of its own until it grows into a monster that makes us despise and even loathe others. When the truth about someone is bruised or misplaced into an ugly image in our mind, we make it a false “reality”. Maturity helps us to give others the benefit of the doubt. It’s not naïve to give people the opportunity to correct our misperceptions.
All of us need a compass of discernment that is accurate. Without this accuracy, deficiency clouds our judgement and shapes our misguided perception of those who otherwise would be our staunchest allies and supporters. The Love Chapter should be our guide in such circumstances.
1 Corinthians 13 – “Love bears all things, believes all things. Love never fails, it does not seek its own, it is not easily provoked. Love helps us to see the intent despite the content.”
