How Others See Us

I was recently challenged to critique someone I had worked for and to hear their critique of me. This was difficult because I care deeply about the person, and it was unrehearsed and occurred in a room full of people.

As an encourager by nature, this challenged me because I never want to be disparaging or hurtful.

The free-flowing conversation that followed allowed us both to hear from and be heard by the other. Those who witnessed this honest, open conversation said they were blessed by what they heard.

Why? Because, though the conversation dealt with past differences, perspectives, and points of view, it also showed what forgiveness and reconciliation look like.

You see, this person and I are closer today than ever before, and the experiences we shared, good, bad, and indifferent, are not as important as that relationship.

Do I recommend everyone do this? Perhaps not, but I do recommend you have someone in your life who can know you, hear you, talk to you, and love you anyway.

If we are willing to consider how others see us, we can begin to see things about ourselves we may have never seen otherwise.

Perhaps seeing ourselves through someone else’s eyes will help us to take off our own blinders and see ourselves more clearly.

John

Proverbs 17:17 – “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”