When the World Says, "You just don't understand."

James 3:13-14 (New International Version, ©2011)

Two Kinds of Wisdom

 ¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.

"You just don't understand!" is usually said with one hand flung up -- palm out -- as if to push the listener away.  It's not usually said in the hopes of helping the listener to understand.  It's said as an accusation, as if the listener were at fault and somehow wrong because of their lack of understanding.

"You just don't understand!"

You're right -- I don't understand.  There are a lot of things I don't understand.  

I have often been told, "You're really smart."  I am. But that doesn't mean I understand everything -- or that I'm supposed to.

I am wise, though.  My wisdom comes from my life-experiences and deepens as I continue to live wrapped in God's loving arms.

Don't expect someone to understand what you've been through.  They're not going to have that knowledge nor will they have developed the same kind of wisdom you have.  

They shouldn't be expected to.

You want someone to understand you, though.  That's normal.  That's just.

Have you considered "showing" someone rather than "telling" someone?  Remember the saying "You could talk until you're blue in the face?"  How about "A picture is worth a thousand words." 

If you just can't get people to understand your words, maybe they are too busy watching your actions. 

When the world says, "You just don't understand."

God says, "Show me you understand by the way you live."

Teacher,
Teach me your ways.  Then help me live your ways.  As I'm living your ways, help me to teach others, not by the words of my mouth but by the actions of my life.  Let others understand your will by watching how I live.  Allow me to see that in others, too.  Amen.