Assumptions

StartFragmentas·sump·tion - əˈsəm(p)SH(ə)n/ A noun meaning a thing that is accepted as true or as certain to happen, without proof. Synonyms: supposition, presumption, and speculation.

EndFragment Hmm. Funny thing about assumptions. We make them all of the time. And they get us into trouble. Or, at least, they do me. I was talking to someone not long ago about the fact that I feel that I think differently than most people. Others have been quick to verify that I'm correct in that assumption (lol!). I do think differently. Some might call it strange. That is the meaning of the name Barbara, after all. A stranger. :) It truly does get me in trouble sometimes, because when I'm in a situation, I assume that others are having the same reaction to it as I am. That they are thinking like me. Then I'll realize that they are not at all. Like, for example, the self-absorbed woman in Stranger Number Two. I felt sorry for her and her unhappy condition, and even more sorry for her poor little girl. I assumed everyone was thinking that same thing. But when we left the breakfast room my very sweet and extremely loving son-in-law told me how proud he was of himself for exercising such self-restraint, because his urge to go up to her and rip her face off was almost overwhelming. He is a young Christian. :) See what I mean? I really need to watch my assumptions. I think we all do. The other day on Facebook a friend announced some big news. When I saw it I just smiled and moved on. Someone else later pointed it out to me. I felt like they were concerned that I was not involved in the happy discussion. They did not know that I had known the news for many weeks, that we had rejoiced together (in person) BIG time, and that before that we had been earnestly praying about it together for a very long time. I think they assumed my lack of involvement. But the truth was just the opposite. Assumptions. The Bible talks about truth. A lot. Not my thoughts or my opinions. Truth. John tells us to know the truth. To sanctify others through truth. He proclaims that the Bible is truth. John 8:32 - "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 17:17 - "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." And that's it. Our only real truth. Not our thoughts. Not our opinions. Now what other people say. I have to be especially mindful of that as I write. To share the pure and undefiled truth from the Word of God, not corrupted by my own wisdom. Wisdom that is not from God. I recently shared that with a young Christian, who has a great desire to grow in the Lord. That she should not trust my words if we cannot validate them clearly with the Words of God. She was resistant to that. No fact checking necessary, she said. She trusted me. NO! NO! NO! Let God be true, and every man a liar! (Romans 3:4) Even me. Especially me. Lord, help me never to make assumptions, but to only accept truth from You.