Worship More and Worry Less: 30 Days of Praiseنموونە

When I taught middle school, one of my students hated me. She literally despised everything I said and taught, and she made it blatantly clear. If I said the sky was blue, she’d argue. As a people-pleaser, this student’s unwarranted anger and distrust were unnerving. Later, I learned I reminded her of someone in her family who obviously had wounded her. Though this knowledge helped a little, the sting of unmerited judgment hurt.

However, I’m guilty too. I know I’ve judged people whom I didn’t really know. I judged them despite the lack of evidence. Why is it so easy to form an opinion about others, but we hate to be judged ourselves, and we know Jesus warned us about it? It’s a human condition, my friends. The moment Eve ate the fruit, judgment entered the world.

You might be thinking: What does judgment have to do with worship? But from my experience, I’ve learned worship holds the key to how we judge others and how we feel when we’re judged because judgment’s foundation is pride. That student’s attitude toward me was prideful, and it hurt my pride. And my pride judged her back. If anything sits on the throne of our heart other than Jesus, we will judge unfairly.

Only God’s judgment stands. The scripture today reminds us that one day, everyone will bow before the throne. Why should we wait? While your coffee is brewing, kneel in prayer. Worship Him with all you have today. And when you find yourself thinking “judgey” thoughts, lift up a quick whisper of praise. Something like, “Lord, you’re God and I’m not. I praise you.” See what happens to your heart.

Journal

Write a prayer asking Jesus to forgive you for judging others. Be specific, and ask for grace today to live differently, laying down your pride, and loving others as Jesus commanded.