Positively Good Productions
"Making a Positively Good difference"
Assumption is at the root
of many conflicts and clashes
that we can find ourselves caught up in.
What real evidence do we have
to support our notion?
The problem with making assumptions is
we can believe our assumptions are the truth.
We make assumptions about what others
are doing or thinking, and we take it personally.
Then we blame them and react
by sending emotional poison with our words.
That is why whenever we make assumptions,
we’re on a slippery slope...
just asking for problems.
The best of relationships are wounded,
if not destroyed... because of assumptions.
Unguarded assumptions can become dangerous things.
The cost of assuming the good, bad, or ugly
can become a painful circle of misery for all involved.
Have you ever thought negatively about a person
or a situation based on information
you thought was accurate,
but later discovered it to be wrong?
Our assumptions are the facts we don’t question.
We should always question
the validity of our assumptions.
They are the creative blind spots we take for granted.
Most of us are living with false assumptions.
Assumptions can, often, lead one
to disillusionment and disappointment.
False assumptions lead to wrong conclusions,
which can lead to wrong actions...
which can lead to major conflicts and clashes.
There may be missed communications between people...
and side-liners will, sometimes,
hit the ground running with this hot piece of news.
They are quick to believe what they perceived.
Assumptions can very quickly
take on a life of its own.
This is especially true when we don’t stop and
first get our facts straight.
Many conflicts and clashes begin with
unchecked assumptions
and inaccurate perceptions.
It only takes a minute for incorrect perceptions
to take root.
These incorrect perceptions can spread
like wild fire by one loquacious person
or a small clique.
Then, there are those who are notorious for embellishing.
Before the news gets old... things get piled on,
either inadvertently or sometimes purposefully
and escalates into a dispute.
These conflicts and clashes diminish
and/or neutralize any good
that may have come before the wrongful trigger.
A classic example of arriving at the wrong conclusion
based on the wrong assumptions is found in
the story of Job.
Job’s friends applied a correct principle
in the wrong manner by making the assumption
that Job’s suffering came as a result
of his sin or disobedience to God.
Instead of comforting Job, his friends condemned him.
They assumed Job needed correction
rather than comfort.
With comforters like Job's friends…
who needs enemies?
Job's friends assumed...
they knew what was happening to Job.
They assumed...
that people always got what they deserve.
They assumed...
there was no exception.
They assumed...
his situation would improve if Job trusted in God.
But we know from the first few chapters of Job
that Job did trust God.
Have you ever thought negatively about a person
or a situation based on information
you thought was accurate,
but which turned out to be wrong?
Our assumptions are the creative blind spots
we take for granted.
For some reason
we don't question our assumptions...
Why not?
Assumptions are rarely true.
What we assume to be true,
we get the cart before the horse and act on.
When what we assume to be true turns out to be false,
we end up with wrong conclusions.
And wrong conclusions can lead to wrong actions.
Our wrong actions can speak volumes and
make one's life hellish.
May the refining and cultivating of our own lives
keep us so busy...
that we have no time to criticize
or assume the worst in others...
ever.
