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What You See

"Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins."¹

Here's a test. You've heard of tongue-twisters ... well here's an eye-twister (which may be difficult for those whose primary language isn't English). See if you can read the following:

"Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a total mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deosn't raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh?"

(Now I know why I am such a poor proof reader—especially of my own writing.)

The mind does a similar thing in other areas of life. That is, we see things not the way they are, but the way we are. For instance, if I am a negative person, I will see negative things in what others do—things that may not even be there—and be critical about them. If I am a supersensitive person, I will read into what others say or do and overreact—not on the basis of what they have said or done, but on the basis of who and what I am. On the other hand, if I am a loving person, I will overlook the petty faults in others and be accepting and forgiving of them, for love does "cover a multitude of sins."

Indeed, what we see is who we are or who we are is what we will see.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, help me to be a loving person and, while not being blind to evil, help me not to be negative or super-sensitive, but to overlook the petty faults of others. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."

1. 1 Peter 4:8 (NASB).

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