Opinions
I don't have to repeat the saying about opinions for us all to know that we all have opinions. However, some of us are more opinionated than others, and yet even a few more are opinionated when not even asked for their opionion or advice.
I have to admit I am an opinionated person (i know your surprised!) and people are opinionated and like to give their advice on all sorts of things: religion, relationships, politics, jobs, life, etc....As human beings, we all have a right to our opinions, however opinions must not replace common sense, overstep boundaries, or become gospel truth if not backed by realistic facts.
The dictionary defines Opinion as a personal view, attitude, or apprasial. Or also, a belief or judgement that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty. Opinions can be good. There are people I go to for their opinion and there are people who come to me for my opinion, but we must be careful that we don't push our advice on people, and I am guilty of that.
Opinions should be take them or leave them. Whether it is advice about dating, marriage, career, faith, hobbies, or anything, we must give our opinion and leave it up to the person to do with it as they please. We can't get upset or offended if someone doesn't agree with our opinion or see it our way. I've been guilty of this. (I know another shock!)
Honestly, sometimes the other person will need to learn the hard way if our opinions are correct, and then again sometimes they are better off not to take our advice because our opinion is wrong or tainted by our own bad experience. Think about it, most of our opinions we have in life are based on our past experiences.
For example, if someone in a church hurt you, then it's more than likely you are going to have a bad opinion or all churches and christians. If you were hurt by an ex-lover, you may think all men or women are evil. If you were raised a democrat, you will think all republicans are bad.
However, on the flip side of it, there is great joy in being able to have an opinion. If feels good to contribute something to a discussion if it's positive, or help someone who is need. The key to opinions just like anything is balance. We must maintain a healthy balance and perspective in our lives, or our opinions will be overbearing, unrealistic, false, or even can put a strain on our relationships with others.
I've learned this from personal experience. I'm striving to learn and grow and work on myself so that my opinions are realistic, healthy, and I'm not trying to push them on other people. We all have to learn to agree to disagree at some points in our lives, and also realize our opinions aren't always accurate, realistic, or true, they are simply just our view of things, sometimes that's good and sometimes that's bad.
I also want to strive to base my opinions from a Godly perspective and have my feelings and advice reflect that of God. I also want to be able to repent when I over-step boundaries or cross the line with my opinions with other people. Saying your wrong, or sorry, or admitting fault goes along way for people to respect you and your opinions. I hope it's a lesson we all can learn, and that's just my opinion.
"Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions." (NIV)
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