The following is a guest post from one of our subscribers.
I have a condition called Hydrocephalus. It is an “invisible condition”, meaning that my outward appearance looks fine, but more often than not, I’m physically hurting inwardly.
My condition is one of the reasons used by some to argue for abortion. Thankfully, I was born. Many don’t receive that opportunity.
What do we see when we look at others? Do we mistakenly just focus on their outward appearance and think, “they look great, they must be feeling good.”
Sadly, perhaps a majority of the time, what we see on the outside is different than what’s going on inside. As a precious friend once shared with me, “People don’t know someone’s story until they get to know them on a deeper level.”
I am reminded of the phrase, “don’t judge a book by its cover.” That should apply to people too! We should strive to stop rushing around so much that we assume just because people look good outwardly, doesn’t necessarily mean they’re doing fine (physically or emotionally) inwardly.
Let’s strive to see people as Jesus sees them – inwardly.
I Samuel 16:7b – For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
Let’s spend more time building genuine friendships with others because of who they are on the inside, not just how they appear on the outside. Everyone needs at least one genuine friend who will take and make time to see them not as they appear, but for who they are.
There is no amount of money or material things that can replace genuine friendship. Your investment in someone’s life may just be what they have been praying and hoping for.
2 Corinthians 4:18 – As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
So, how do we keep our focus on seeing people for who they are, not just how they appear? After all, everyday life is so rushed. We hardly have time to keep up with our own schedules, let alone take the time to be there for someone else.
Hebrews 12:2 – Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Every day, ask the Lord to give you opportunities to see people as HE sees them and for the time to simply be there for them.
Your time with someone doesn’t need to be long. It can be a text, a card in the mail, an encouraging email, or even a phone call.
Everyone is searching for hope, peace, comfort, etc. Let God use you. Don’t worry, you don’t need to “fix” anything. Simply allow God to share His love through you!