How do we learn to accept those who are different from us?

I have a friend who opened up her problems and difficulties in going to school facing another day, thinking that she will be bullied by the people she gets along with. People think that she is different and I don’t know why. These people talk behind her back. Laugh at her actions and how she talks. But I never thought that these things will really affect her because she doesn’t say a thing about the behaviour of the people that surrounds her.

Every time I see people judge her for her actions and her physical appearance, I felt sad for these people because they don’t know her and yet they judge her based on what they can only see. Acceptance is lacking and there are two things that explain why. One, because they think that they are worthy enough that’s why they can’t accept that there are other people different from them. Two, they can’t accept their imperfection that’s why they rather judge others and criticize other’s appearance than looking at themselves.

According to the book that I’ve read, “Accepting others may require us to look at people from a different perspective.” “They are just looking but not really seeing”, based on the movie A Cinderella Story. They don’t understand we people, have our own uniqueness and differences. They can’t accept that there are really people who are different from them, which is wrong. We have to accept other’s being indifferent because God created us equal individuals. He wants us to stand out on our own uniqueness not from because we have the same personality and we want the same thing.

The Bible says in Matthew 9: 11- 12, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?” they asked his disciples... Jesus replied, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor --- sick people do.” Even Jesus, the Lord, accepted us for what we are. He accepted us even though we’re different from Him, even though we’re sinners. Now, God is telling us to accept and love our brothers and sisters for who they are because we are all created by God and God wants us to love one another. As the Bible says in Romans 15:7,“So accept each other for God has accepted you; then God will be glorified.”

Let us pray...

Almighty Father, we give You praise and thanks. Forgive us Lord because sometimes we judge others without even knowing them. Sorry Lord for being so self- centered and selfish. Help me to accept others for You have accepted me for who I am.  In Jesus name we pray. Amen