Devotional - Believe me?

‘’Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.’’ Matthew 7:1-2

MESSAGE:

Have you ever not been believed when you’ve said something?

It’s the most shocking thing when you pray to live a life of integrity and honesty!

You go away confused thinking – “why didn’t they believe me?”

Worse than that, it makes you uncertain of who you are.

•  you thought they knew you! 
• they should believe you, but they don’t.
• if they don’t believe you, then they think you’re a liar.
• Why would they do that?

It’s very unsettling!

It’s hurtful to say the least and can knock anyone’s self-belief and confidence.

So, how often does your child or individual say:

“I don’t like that”

Or

“I’ve got to do it”

Or

“It makes me feel funny”

Or

Physically pull away from something if they have no verbal language.

And yet sometimes our response is “don’t be stupid!”

Or “pull yourself together!”

Or “it’s no big deal”

Or “stop making a scene!”

Or we press on regardless.

Not believing children or others can be one of the most damaging things we can do, without even realising it.

We are judging them from our perspective not theirs.

Their world is real for them.

Pause before jumping to conclusions.

How are their senses being affected?

Remember when someone has sensory processing issues, everything they hear, touch, see, smell, taste, and experience when moving can be distorted!

This has a massive impact on how anyone experiences the world.

How could it make them feel?

Of course, there are times we will need to enquire about what they are saying, but giving the benefit of the doubt can make them feel heard, validated, loved. 

It opens up conversations, deepens trust and creates strong relationships.

Sometimes they will confuse hunger with nervousness, sometimes they won’t be able to correctly communicate what is going on with them, but if they are communicating something – listen – no matter how bizarre it sounds, like “that toilet paper feels like sandpaper.”

Next time, when you feel the default reaction to deny their comment, perhaps take a step back 

– BE CURIOUS – 

Ask more.

Use the phrase “so am I right in hearing what you are saying ….?” 

Just to reflect what they have said, can make a huge difference to them.

POINT TO PONDER:

What would it feel like to you to not be believed?

PRAYER:

“Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that you believe the best of me. You know my default sinful position yet you have given me the Holy Spirit to bring me to maturity in Christ and that I can live a life of goodness and holiness. Help me to take the time to believe someone else today. Perhaps when I can’t quite believe them, you need me to believe IN them to draw them higher. Help me to listen to what they are saying. Help me to hear what may be going on underneath their words. Help me to understand more about their sensory world so that I can tune in even more. Thank you Jesus, Amen!”