by David Smith (YourChurchCanGrow.)
"If you want people to like you ..." (Proverbs 17:9 TEV)
It's that indefinable something you sense in the air whenever you're with someone. You search for it in the face of others. Your antenna is extended high to pick up every hint of a transmission that may carry its message. You analyze people's tone of voice, not merely their
choice of words, for some indication of what's there. Deliberately, as well as unconsciously, you scan the body language of others for a clue.
The question in your heart is simple:
"Do they like me?"
It may sound a trifle vain -- "Do they like me?" And we may even try to convince ourselves by saying aloud the opposite of what we feel:
"I don't care what others think about me."
But you and I both know what's in your heart of hearts:
"... you want people to like you ..." (Proverbs 17:9 TEV)
Who doesn't like to be liked? Which one of us doesn't seek acceptance from those around us? It's a given. We are all individuals, but we yearn for a place in the heart of others. We may boast of being an island or a rock, but we are more like just another grain of sand on a very long beach.
So how do you find a place in the hearts of others? If you want people to like you, is there anything you can do to help that to happen? Something that doesn't prostitute your principles or make you gad about like a glory-hunter?
Yes, there is -- and it's a way that has not been tried and found wanting, but it is a way that we all want, but probably do not try often enough. In a few words, if you want people to like you:
"... forgive them when they wrong you." (Proverbs 17:9 TEV)
We all say things we wish we hadn't said. We all do things we're sorry we did. And we all shudder a bit inside when we consider what those things do to our relationships with others.
So won't you extend a bit today of the that which you hope others will extend to you. "If you want people to like you, forgive them when they wrong you." (Proverbs 17:9 TEV)
Father, as I would pray that others would forgive my slips of tongue and slights of way today, may I be forgiving of others who slight me and make my way slippery. Remind me again and again that others crave acceptance as much as I do. As you have accepted me, may I accept -- in Jesus' name -- those whom you cross my path with today. Amen.
