The Benefit of the Doubt

How many times has it caught me? Way too many times. I’m talking about the trap of negative thinking. What is he trying to say? Was she looking at me funny? I can just tell they don’t like me. Sometimes we mistake random actions, tones of voice and facial expressions as an act of defiance or dislike by its person. Not only do we think these thoughts, but sometimes we are certain of them as if they are fact.

When we come to these conclusions through mere speculation, we dangerously approach sin ourselves. We need to realize some qualities about love. Paul says that love, “…believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things…” (1 Corinthians 13:7, NASB). If we claim to have love for individuals, but rapidly come to negative conclusions based on no valid, solid evidence - or any whatsoever, then we are rejecting what true love is all about.

Love does not jump to negative conclusions about people. Instead, it believes in those individuals. Love does not dwell on unproven feelings, but hopes for the best in people. Love does not give up on souls, but endures until there is nothing to endure for.  Love does not discard relationships or people from no proven evidences – instead it sees the best in people.

Chances are that the person actually does like you – they may just be shy. Chances are that an individual didn’t look at you weirdly – they were just lost in thought. Chances are that they are actually good people – you just need to take the time to get to know them. Let’s choose to give people the benefit of the doubt, because that is what love does!