"We judge because we recognize in others what we don’t like in ourselves."

A thought by Lisa Whittle from her book, Jesus Over Everything (p. 52). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon to buy the book.)

And that is so true.

Lisa says, "So often you can find us being the hardest on someone we see reflected in ourselves. We feel put off by the things we recognize as places we need to work on, sins we struggle with, characteristics we deeply wish away. It’s easier for us to judge people than to deal with the fact that we are disappointed in ourselves or to work on getting better. The way we judge others for the things we recognize in us is a sign that we are struggling to love ourselves, first, which makes it impossible for us to love another."

She goes on, "A life of judgment never fulfills and results in feelings of loneliness and resentment. It may be easier to choose judgment, but it’s healthier to choose love. C. S. Lewis said this:

"To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken. . . . Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket—safe, dark, motionless, airless—it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. (1)"

She then says, "Love is the gift that frees us from the death of never truly living. It helps us live lighter, kinder, wiser, fuller, not only to others but also to ourselves. Judgment is the easy go-to when we have shut ourselves off from love for too long. Jesus didn’t stop at saying that judging others is an unspiritual way to live. He showed us with His own life how to choose the superior path of love. Judgment is a soul cancer—it attacks us from the inside and eats away at our ability to live strong lives. Love is the antidote for that."

So, lets choose love over judgment in our relationships. You see, don't you, that love is the superior path?

Yes, yes!

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