Podcast: Play in new window | Download ()
Presented by Lisa Bishop
We are examining the 5 attitudes for everyday life, and today, let’s talk about the attitude of curiosity.
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you thought you were right about something or someone only to get more information and find out you were dead wrong? I know I have too many times to count.
Our brains have a tendency to jump to conclusions rather than asking clarifying questions, and that can cause us to make assumptions. And when we do, it can damage our relationships. If we are not careful our rash reaction can impact our witness as followers of Jesus too.
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires (James 1:19-20).
What do these verses have to do with taking on an attitude of curiosity? When we do not heed these wise words and instead find ourselves reacting with certainty rather than pausing and engaging our curiosity we tend to operate from a place of judgment. We come from an “I know I am right” attitude, but the reality is we often do not have the full picture. We have a tendency to presume we know all the facts when in reality we rarely do.
When that co-worker, spouse, or friend does or says something and you are convinced you know their motive and intention, rather than presuming to know what is true, get curious!
One way to do this is to switch from the mindset of “I bet,” to “I wonder.”
Rather than, “I bet my co-worker is withholding information from me,” switch to, “I wonder why I haven’t received an update on that project yet. There must be a variable I am unaware of.”
Or move from, “I bet my friend didn’t return my text because she’s not that interested in our friendship,” to “I wonder why my friend hasn’t replied. She must have forgotten or has a lot going on.”
Now, it may turn out your co-worker is withholding information, or your friend is distancing herself, but that’s not the point. The point is our assumptions are more often inaccurate, and we all know what assuming can do. It can make us look like a fool. The next time you are quick to judge and jump to conclusions, move from “I bet,” to “I wonder,” believe the best, and see what moving from certainty to curiosity can do.