(MIS)UNDERSTANDING!

If we seriously introspect and analyse the causes of the present day ifs, such as hatred, fear, suspicion, prejudice, malice, revenge, tension, violence, and strained relationship, it will be seen one of the main causes, is ‘MISUNDERSTANDING.”

WHAT IS MISUNDERSTANDING?
To conceive wrongly or to take in a wrong sense or to misinterpret the nature and motive of other is ‘misunderstanding’. To suspect or to have a wrong notion of what others think, say or do is ‘misunderstanding.’

There is hardly anyone who has not been a victim of ‘misunderstanding’ sometime or the other. Also there may be a very few who have not caused ‘misunderstanding’ to others knowingly or un-knowingly.

CAUSE OF “MISUNDERSTANDING”
Ignorance, preconceived ideas, over sensitiveness, emotional imbalance, blindly believing in what others say, misuse of speech (loose talk, gossip, whispering, backbiting) and drawing hasty conclusions about others' intentions, are some of the causes of ‘misunderstanding’.

MISUNDERSTANDING PRONE DEALINGS
Like some of the areas on the road are marked “accident prone” to warn drivers and passengers, dealings between some of the relations such as ‘mother-in-law’ and ‘daughter-in-law’, ‘partners in business’, ‘house owner and tenant’ ,members of different political parties, and likewise, are 'misunderstanding' prone. Those involved in such dealings should be over cautions to avoid ‘misunderstanding’.

GREATEST MISUNDERSTANDING
We not only misunderstand others, but we also misunderstand ourselves. The greatest and deep rooted ‘misunderstanding’ is that we mistake our body for the ‘self’ and wrongly think we are the ‘doers’ and thereby suffer lifelong pain and sorrow. Once misunderstanding goes deep into the subconscious mind, it is very difficult to clear it.

HOW TO AVOID MISUNDERSTANDING?
Self awareness, self introspection, meditation, frankness, rational and positive thinking, presenting ourselves as what we are and not as what we ought to be, and accepting others as what they are and not as what they ought to be, are some of the effective means to avoid ‘misunderstanding’.

It is a great service if we help others to remove 'misunderstanding'.

James 1:19-20 is also a great way to avoid this.

James 1:19-20 (NIV) reads: "My dear brothers, take note of this: EVERYONE should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires."

* Analysis courtesy of Anita through an online friend
** 'At Jesus Feet' painting courtesy of Nathan Greene