26/11/2023
*THE TRAGEDY OF ASSUMPTION.*
Few months ago, I was invited to a prayer programme in Lagos as a guest minister. When I entered the auditorium, I mean the church, I saw some pastors I knew sitting in one corner. I went up to them and started to greet them one after the other.
I shook their hands, even with the ones I didn't know until I got to one pastor with prophet's garment. I didn't know him and when I extended my hand, he ignored it. After few seconds, I withdrew my hand. All my thought was, "what arrant nonsense?" I kept asking the question from my self.
I felt very embarrassed and angry. Embarrassed for myself and angry at the man. What was he feeling like, I thought. All those other pastors accepted my greeting, older pastors even. And to my knowledge, I hadn't done anything wrong. I gave him a very scornful look, greeted the remaining pastors and went to take a seat.
Now, even after I sat down, I was still pi**ed off. I kept stealing glances at the pastor to see how he would react to other people. Then I saw it... Amazingly, he was blind!!!
His eyes were open, but he couldn't see at all! The other pastors who came to greet him had to touch him first, then take his hand if they wanted to shake hands with him.
To my greatest surprise, this same individual is my hidden protege who really appreciates my ministry and ministrations. I never knew he came purposely because his wife informed him that I would be the guest minister for this year's anniversary," in fact, he was waiting on the altar to hear someone bemoan my name so as to stand and hug me.
When I heard this, my embarrassment level tripled. In addition to that, I felt stupid, very stupid. I was still angry, just angry at myself. I felt like that till I left the altar to the pulpit. In fact, I could not say a word to him until I got to the pulpit and my message for that Sunday changed from "Recovery" to "Danger of Assumption".
©️Assumption kills like poison. Any small thing, we assume, thinking others are doing what we did not even care to validate by any eye witness.
©️Someone doesn't pick our calls, you assume he or she is avoiding you or the fellow is up to something.
©️Someone doesn't give you the money you asked for, you assume he or she is stingy and wicked.
©️Someone doesn't call, hangout or visit you as he/she usually does. You assume they are no longer caring or intimate again, then, comes the anger and repulsive attitude towards them.
©️ We never care to know and understand that issues of life can set in to choke them. Also that, the issues of life are diverse in nature, not the same.
©️Once we are turned down or rejected, we start assuming. Never forget that the Power of verification of issues is more important and significant for more connection with heathy people to get to the top.
©️We don't put into consideration what the other party might be going through or experiencing. Let us always have it at the back of our minds that, other people might not be in pleasant mood like you do.
©️The guy who promised you money might get into a financial situation a day before he's supposed to give you the money.
✓The person who didn't pick your call was probably in a meeting or busy at that moment, or even sleeping. He might not be in the mood to take your call.
✓We just assume instead because it’s easier and it tends to make us the good guys.
✓Give someone benefit of doubt, make an excuse for that person. It's not always as it seems on your mind and in your head.
Maintain relationships with people. What you RESPECT will COME towards you and what you don't RESPECT will RUN away from you.
✓It is childish and immature to pick offence at every provocation or perceived wrong and then start keeping grudges as a result. Please, learn to grow above it.
✓Someone did not invite you for their wedding, you picked offence with them.
✓Someone didn't wish you happy birthday, you picked offence with the person
✓They didn't like your Facebook post, you picked offence.
✓They didn't support you in a disagreement you had with someone, you picked offence with them.
✓They are junior and they have the audacity to talk or oppose your opinion. You picked offence with them.
✓They said No to your request, you picked offence and malice starts.
✓You asked them for money, they said they didn't have it, you picked offence with them.
✓You are even keeping a record of people who brought gifts to your wedding, those who blessed you because you helped them, you have the list of those who gave you gifts or money, so you can know who to pick offence with.
NOTE:
has their battles you are not aware of.
who you need help from are also looking for help.
everything is personal and intentional
everyone hate you.
@ Sometimes people are just caught up with their own lives, struggles, human weaknesses and limitations.
how to manage being disappointed by people and still be on talking terms with them. It will save you a lot of UNNECESSARY grudges and save you some FRIENDSHIPS you may need in future.
Grow above offences, grow ignoring offences and grow beyond petty issues. You are too big to be keeping malice and grudges against people just bcos they didn't dance to your tune. ......Have you ever asked yourself this honest question; Must they live their lives by your own standards alone??. Copied.
