Matthew 7:12 says: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you…” This verse came up on the Holy Bible app as I was praying this morning and it made me think, it always sounds simple… until life gets messy. Because if we’re honest, our default as humans isn’t selflessness. We often judge ourselves by our intentions, but we judge others by their actions. It’s easier to point the finger than to pause and look in the mirror. Jesus invites us into a different way. When someone hurts us, it’s natural to want justice, explanations, or distance. But if we’re really brave, we can ask ourselves: When I’ve hurt someone ( intentionally or not ) what did I hope for? Grace or punishment? Understanding or condemnation? A second chance or a final verdict? The same is true when someone is struggling. In our own hard seasons, most of us don’t want fixing, we want someone to sit with us, listen and help us process without judgement. We want compassion, not correction. Presence, not pressure. And when someone simply annoys us ( because… people 😅 ), we’re reminded that we’re all works in progress. Every one of us has needed patience at some point. So this week, maybe the invitation is this: Before reacting, pause and ask, If I were them, what would I need right now? Living like Jesus isn’t about perfection. It’s about choosing grace when it’s easier to withhold it. Mercy when pride wants the last word. Love that looks a little more like Him than like our first instinct. Let this be a gentle mirror, not a weapon. And a reminder that how we treat others is often the loudest reflection of what’s happening in our own hearts. 🤍