“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:12

“Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes.” Is an idiom taken from a poem entitled Judge Softly published in 1865 by Mary T. Lathrap. The message being conveyed is to avoid judging anyone, but rather to practice empathy by understanding the thoughts, challenges, and experiences they have encountered.

The bible teaches us “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” Matthew 7:1. Jesus directs his disciples in the way to conduct themselves by not condemning the faults of others. We are to take introspection and judge our own actions instead of trying to correct our fellowman in areas we really do not understand. Can you imagine telling a man who has suffered true hunger for days how it feels to be hungry if you have never missed a meal?

It is so easy to access someone else’s situation and decide what they have done wrong. When asked Jesus stated “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Matthew 22:37-39.

As born-again believers we are to allow the love of Christ to shine in our lives. Love covers a multitude of sins…amen?! It saved us all one Friday morning when Jesus shed His blood on Calvary’s cross for your sins and mine. Let us learn to extend an empathetic heart to others; learning to listen and understand the “shoes” that they are walking in at any given moment.

Today, if by chance you find yourself possibly condemning the actions of another, simply stop…ask God for forgiveness and to show you the good in all that they do instead; asking Him to help you find a way to uplift, inspire and show compassion towards that person. Sometimes we are the only example of Jesus that others may see; let us examine our own hearts and decide how we are walking before others – can they see Christ in us?

Ultimately, let us pray that God softens someone’s heart to impart the same empathy towards us, because we are all subject to fall. “For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.” Galatians 6:3-4.

God blessings of joy and mercy be with us all.