2 ways to regard people…and maybe a 3rd:
– As I am right now, from my perspective. This gives me the right to put my strengths against someone else’s weaknesses and judge myself superior- and the other person lacking. It is incredibly arrogant, judgemental and very human. I would suggest thst we do this quite often.
– As they are right now, with an attempt at understanding and empathizing with what they’ve experienced and the limitations they may currently face. This gives grace and declines the temptation to judge from a position of superiority.
– As they can be, created by God and loved by him right this moment, yet also with the potential to become all that HE created them to be. This approach understands a) where they’ve been b) in Christ, they are not limited by that c) God can do more through their weaknesses than he can through my supposed strengths (2 Cor. 12:9-10) and d) I’ve been called to encourage such growth within them (Eph. 4:15, Heb. 10:24-25).
“From now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view”- 2 Cor. 5:16
“Today, Lord- help me to see beyond my own arrogance and supposed growth. Help me to see more than someone’s story and history, though I do need to try to understand it. Help me to see what people can become as they follow you fully. And make me an instrument of encouragement toward that as the other person allows”