While reading the news several days ago, one of the big headlines was about two Miss USA finalists giving “stupid” answers and another one freezing during her questions. Our society has really sunken low when something like this becomes a headline. Much of media has made its living by criticizing and finding fault with both public and private citizens. Yet, most of us have been guilty of laughing or making fun of others even though we do not understand their pressures or the stress they are experiencing at the time. We all have a propensity to be judgmental and I am quite sure that is why God said we will be judged according to our own critical nature (Matthew 7:2, Luke 6:37).

The challenge that each of us face is in understanding what WE are supposed to learn from any and all circumstances we are exposed to. While God may have been at work in humbling those contestants, He was also at work in those who observed those “fo pas” and checking their level of understanding, compassion and empathy. Most of us will never fully grasp the pressures of being on center stage during an internationally broadcast event, any more than when someone gives you the finger because you looked at them in a certain way, or when a friend vents their anger on you because of something that someone else did to them. We cannot allow our emotions, circumstances or others to make us judgmental. We lose every time this happens.

However, there IS a time when being judgmental is a GOOD thing! It is a time when emotions, circumstances and others are at a distance. It is a time when we are alone and reflecting on how our own “fo pas” can make us better. 1 Corinthians 11:31 which says this: “If we would examine ourselves first, we would not come under God’s judgment.” Earlier this year we discussed the fact that “Failure (or sin) is success if we learn from it.” God’s patience allows us to make the same stupid mistakes multiple times because He wants us to learn something, so we can become complete. The challenge is that we have to see the learning experience the way God does – in how it makes us complete. It’s like polishing the rough edges of a beautiful diamond.

Examining or judging ourselves means looking at ourselves with the same kind of love God extends to us. In other words loving yourself the way God loves you. Seeing yourself the way God sees you. Understanding yourself the way God understands you. It is about watching you take a step toward completion, even if its source is public ridicule. It’s not just about those young ladies it is about your compassion and understanding. It is about loving others as you love yourself. The challenge is that society feeds on ridicule, being unforgiving and pushes us to love conditionally which we are NOT allowed to do.

We may never know what God was teaching those young ladies. My question is what was He teaching you when you read those headlines?

Love Dad