Love… is ever ready to believe the best of every person… (1 Corinthians 13:7, Amplified)
Love strains forward with all its might to believe the very best in every situation. (1 Corinthians 13:7, Rick Renner, Sparkling Gems From the Greek)
“It is a wonderful thing that here and there in this hard, uncharitable world there should still be left a few rare souls who think no evil… Love ‘thinketh no evil,’ imputes no motive, sees the bright side, puts the best construction on every action. What a delightful state of mind to live in!” – Henry Drummond, The Greatest Thing in the World
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of a good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8, KJV)
I’ve noticed something happening in my heart lately. When I hear an accusation against another person, either in my own mind or by another individual, I am choosing not to think about the accusation at all. Not one moment of entertaining a negative thought about another person. And each time I choose to love instead of judge, a wave floods my soul, a wave full of love, joy and peace.
I quite often looked around at the cars driving past me and only noticed how badly the people were driving. Now, I choose not to entertain those thoughts and as the cars speed past I sense a great love for them overwhelming me. I’m still working on this for those that cut me off đŸ™‚
I used to work as a hostess in a restaurant. There was a booth right next to my station. I would often overhear the conversations that took place in that booth. Couldn’t really be helped.
Many of the conversations I heard were people talking about another person. Giving their opinion of what they were doing wrong. What they needed to do differently. Pretty much talking badly about them. I was surprised by how much time people spent talking badly about other people.
I confess I have done my fair share of this and I am very sorry for that. Thank God for His mercy and His forgiveness. Thank God for the blood of Jesus!
Now, I am endeavouring to change the way I think and speak about others. Leaning entirely on His grace (the power of the Holy Spirit within me) to do this. And as I spend less and less time thinking negatively and speaking negatively about others, I find His love increasing in my heart. I sense His peace, His joy, His presence more and more in my day to day life.
Henry Drummond said, “What a delightful state of mind to live in!’ I’m finding that to be oh so true. Much more than I ever imagined.
How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. (Psalm 139:17, NLT)
This is My commandment: that you love one another [just] as I have loved you. (John 15:12, Amplified)
Highway of Love 
Right on! We have to totally re-train ourselves– and it’s so much easier when you have God lovingly chiding you on =].
I just completed a kinda quick study about fault-finding/ criticism and found an interesting line… Unfortunately, it has become a societal norm to fault-find (talk negatively about people– mostly behind one’s back, lacking a motive to better people) instead of constructively build each other up (i.e. you loving me enough to pull me aside and tell me one of my faults with the sincere motive of helping me).
I love you, Delia… and I love seeing your love! =]
Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh…to be trained to build one another up…what a gift! After many shortcomings in this area, I’m endeavoring to train them up in the way they should go!