Two Sides to Every Story

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I remember hearing a story about a friend. The story was quite disturbing. So much so, that I began to look at my friend differently. Because I trusted the people who shared the story with me, I never went to God or to my friend to get clarification. I figured they had no reason to misrepresent the story. I simply judged my friend based upon what others had shared. I watched my friend be ostracized by many people (including me) because of what was said about him. He was publicly ridiculed. His name was dragged through the mud.

About a year later, a similar situation happened to me. There were people who began to share stories about me. When I heard pieces of the story that were being shared, I could not believe what I was hearing. People began to treat me differently based upon these stories. I was "subtly" publicly ridiculed. My name was dragged through the mud in private circles. Attempts were made to discredit me. I was hurt! Then God had to remind me of my friend a year earlier. It was a humbling moment.

The door was opened for me to talk to my friend. I discovered that much of what I heard about him had major inconsistencies in it. I was shocked to find out that when the truth was discovered, those who were sharing the story, never went back to correct the story. I apologized to my friend and learned some major lessons at the same time.

1. Before drawing a conclusion and sharing that conclusion with others, get all sides of the story.
2. Be wary when people begin to speak for someone else and he or she is not present. This situation will undoubtedly leave room for error.
3. Pray for discernment and reconciliation.
4. Forgive those who persecute you. You cannot move forward looking back.