LESSON 6 - BEST

During September I'm blogging each day about one thing I've learned from 35 years of doing ministry.  Not rocket science -- just elementary tips that have served me well these three decades.

Lesson #6 - Always believe the best.

Honestly, this works for any and every relationship and situation -- with your friends -- with your neighbors -- with your spouse -- with your team -- even with strangers.  It's a life choice with everyone you meet all the time.

For instance, let's talk with 'strangers.'

I've had people cut me off in traffic.  You could simply ignore it, but there isn't anything particularly redeeming about disregarding.  Let's be bigger than that.

Having said that, there are two choices.  Glare at them and call them a 'moron,' at least to yourself if not worse.  Or 'believe the best.'

Here's how you do that on a practical level.  You create an instant story - in your head - about their situation.  (To yourself):  I bet his wife is laying in the back seat right now in heavy labor.  He's rushing to get her to the hospital before she makes the second seat of the Ford Taurus into Community General.  For instance.

Said another way, in every circumstance and situation you have two choices:  Assume the worst - or Believe the best.

There's just something so JESUS about believing the best.

When you assume the worst, you always get to be right.

'I knew he was going to do that.'
'I already figured she would say that.'

You get to be right.  But there's almost always more information you don't know.  And when you believe the best, you put them in a good light and your spirit gets to breathe.  I can't find an exact Scripture on it, but there's just something so JESUS about it.

Believe the best.

And be blessed.