THE LOST ART OF RELATIONSHIP
will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged” (Matt. 7:1–2). We have to be careful not to judge them prematurely.
- Simply put, first impressions are initial feelings, not necessarily the truth about them or you.
Have you ever said something in the heat of the moment that you later regretted? Have you ever put your worst foot forward and wanted to go back and start over? Or have you been so caught up in your own life that you were oblivious to the lives of those around you?
Something tells me you said yes to one or all of those statements.
To be fair to others, we should allow them a second chance. We certainly desire second chances when we blow it. Keep in mind this is about building healthy relationships. There could be some people who manipulate you and leave you feeling confused. Chances are, they would continue to do so if you gave them a second chance.
To be fair, we need to look at all of the underlying circumstances surround- ing the first encounter. We can ask,
- Where am I emotionally, and what is my situation at the time I will meet with _____?
- What happened during the day, or is happening in the other person’s life, that could negatively affect our meeting?
- What could have been said about them or about me that possibly tainted either perspective before we met?
- If I believe I have received a second chance in my relationship with God, shouldn’t I give others that same benefit? Am I willing to give them the benefit of the doubt?
Spiritual Application
In Acts chapter 2, the disciples who followed Jesus were in the upper room when something phenomenal happened. God met them there and gave them the ability to speak in other languages.
Those who were outside of the upper room hearing what was going on with the disciples did not know who they were. They understood in their own languages what was being said, but didn’t understand why. Those who did not understand and needed to explain it away wrote it off as drunkenness (vv. 1–13).
This is a prime example of a first impression going wrong. Fortunately,