Walking in the shoes of others.
Every day in life we are faced with so many trials and temptations. We get so wrapped up in ourselves and forget that others have feelings too, and we forget to take somebody else's feelings into consideration. You are a football player at school; everybody loves you, and you get all of the girls. You see somebody who is having a bad day and you just ignore them and go on with the rest of your day. Sometimes we see those people and we judge them because they don't have many friends or not very popular and in that for we are blind for we do not see the truth.
1st John 2:11 (NIV) But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness; he does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded him.
There is a phrase that is used and it is: "I wish they could just take a walk in my shoes." This statement can be true in almost any situation. When things are so hard and others think that you are just to wrapped up in your own life and ideas. Taking a walk in somebody's shoes helps you see it from the other perspective. As humans, there is such a narrow mind that makes it hard to see it from somebody else and their point of view.
In Romans 14:1(NIV) it says: Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.
As Christians we need to try to see it from the other side of the story despite how hard it is. In today's society, it takes a very special person with God by their side to be able to walk a mile in somebody else's shoes and we should try to be that person who can walk a mile in the shoes of others and be the one who can encourage that person.
Acts 15:32 (NIV) Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.
The next time you see somebody having a bad day, go up to them and encourage them. Sometimes all somebody needs is a little bit of encouragement from a friend. Take a walk in the shoes of others, open your mind and open your heart and God will help you reach out to others and sometimes it takes putting you in their shoes to help others.
Are you willing to walk in the shoes of others for the lord? Amen!