1. Treat EVERY person as if they have value and dignity. Including the ones you disagree with.

2. Treat EVERY person as if they have value and dignity. Including the ones you disagree with.

3. Treat EVERY person as if they have value and dignity. Including the ones you disagree with.

Ok, Try and guess the next seven.

We’ve all been guilty of the heavy eye-roll this past year. There has been unkindness and downright hatred from people we used to be cool with. Opinions flow a little more easily while you’re pantsless, eating Ramen with all the blinds shut. But we’ve seen that even over the “buffer” of the online soapbox, friendships are damaged. Relationships are strained.

So what is the solution? As we head back into society and gatherings, do we just awkwardly avoid certain people because they think differently than we do?

There has to be room for disagreement and peaceful discussion. And that can only exist if we are treating the person in front of us as if they have..you know it.. value and dignity.

Only in a safe space can defenses come down and people start to actually hear one another.

The answer is not to keep quiet for fear of upsetting the Apple cart. Truth and light should not be hidden for fear of being bullied into submission. But there is a way to enter the arena without bashing our “opponents”, who really are just people who believe differently than we do.

Reason and wisdom, kindness and compassion must start with us. Even when it isn’t coming from others. Speak the truth, but don’t join in the name-calling. It invalidates the message.

That person who sees things through crazy-colored glasses thinks yours are just as wacky.

Truth and grace.

Angela

“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Colossians 4:6

“The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless.” Proverbs 10:20