Put your hand up if, like me, you are often guilty of making assumptions about others. (You’ll have to forgive me for assuming that your hand is – albeit metaphorically – in a state of up-ness.) The truth is, we all make snap decisions about people every day, sometimes frighteningly quickly.

I remember having to interview someone to come and work with me for a year out. Before I even met the people who applied, I was making decisions about them based on their CV’s. One girl had the most appalling writing and spelling I have ever come across. I was about to throw her on to the “not on your sweet nelly” pile, but something made me look again at her spidery, ink-stained scrawl. God moved me. As I tried to decipher what she had written, something of Jesus announced itself in her words. When I rang her, I knew instantly that she was the right person. She was incredibly beautiful inside and had a family likeness that made everyone who met her know she belonged to Jesus. But I so nearly missed out on her in favour of someone who could spell Jesus without an ‘i’.

Such assumptions may not seem to be dangerous or harmful, but they can grow and develop into thoughts that are sinful and unhealthy. Jesus’ teaching on judgement is startling and leaves no room for manoeuvre. In Matthew 7:1- 6, we see some pretty uncompromising guidance on the subject that may leave us feeling somewhat uncomfortable:

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way as you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7:1-2

I am profoundly grateful to have had people over the years whom I can be accountable to. One such person asked me the sort of penetrative questions that shone searing light onto my actions and attitudes. She set me actual targets of how I could bless others and not criticise – and checked up on my progress. She also encouraged me to play the “15 Thank You’s” game. Each day as part of my regular quiet time routine, I began the habit of thanking God for 15 things before I said anything else. It was a simple but quiet revolution to my soul and one I thoroughly recommend – particularly when I find myself donning the secret wig of the judge over my fellow man.

If, like me, you find that criticism comes all too easily, why not make an effort to be ‘grateful for your plateful’. You may be surprised who makes the list.