Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Naive

***please note - this is not directed or about one person. These are just general thoughts and feelings that I have. Thank you!

I've noticed some things about myself lately and it has triggered a lot of thinking - here it is;

  • I look past all of the bad things and I see the best in every situation.
  • I see past the lies that have been told and I forgive.
  • I don't judge or speculate and I always give the benefit of the doubt.
  • I trust in what is told and find no reason to doubt

But are these good quality's to have?

I am not so sure. I sometimes think that I am not looking past the bad things - I am just making excuses for that person. I think that maybe I am not seeing past lies and giving people the benefit - I am just convincing myself that people always have good intentions.

This often gets me into trouble. Where is the line between being a good Christian person and being naive?


Even though I know all this - I can't seem to change. I continue to make myself believe that people are good and real and that humanity exists in everyone...why is that?

Is it time to stop being so disillusioned?

5 comments:

Janine / Being Brazen said...

I think those are good qualities to have. Of course, you must be careful not to let people take advantage of your good nature

David Richardson said...

I can relate. I truly do want to give people the benefit of a doubt.

However....

The older I get, the more I realize that we all are an imperfect, fallen people. Because of this, I realize that even the best of people can fail me, and I can fail them.

Love people and treat them well. But always remember that at any time, anyone can hurt you intentionally and unintentionally. This does not mean you should live paranoid or jaded. It just means that you have to settle in your mind that people can and will let you down.

That is why your ultimate satisfaction and peace can only be found in God.

Oh, and one more thing. Loving people does not mean you have to be a doormat to them. Jesus was not...and you don't have to be either. It's ok to take care of yourself, and it's ok to draw up healthy boundaries to protect yourself. That's what I'm teaching my daughters to do.

Not sure if this makes sense. I hope it does. :)

Heather Nicole said...

Thank you Brazen & David for both of your comments.

I am going to have to set those boundaries for myself - which is really the hardest thing to do.

I don't like the part that happens AFTER those boundaries are crossed. I just dont like confrontation - I dread it.

Thank you both again for your helpful comments

Anonymous said...

these are VERY valid questions and somewhat tricky to answer. I believe that if a person has "tried" their best at something they have not failed, reguardless of the outcome. if you continue to provide chances to people who have tried then you have not failed yourself. It's a very simplistic saying that has been around for MANY years. "if you don't succeed, try try again"

If the person on the other side of the fence, so to speak, has not tried, then they have only failed themselves.

You, my wonderful wife, have NEVER failed yourself in my eyes! your values and morales are probably what keep me incheck alot of times. your compassion and feelings are what keep me around...


I love you baby!

David Richardson said...

Heather -

Sounds to me like you have a good husband with a good head on his shoulders. Stick close with him, and you should be just fine!

David