Unseen Challenges

We don’t know what we don’t know – this is the mantra that’s circled through my brain on several occasions this summer.  People have all kinds of challenges that are not always visible to outsiders. And when we don’t know the full story behind people’s behaviors, we often fill in the gaps making wrong assumptions.

My wife and I have taken several trips in the past few months to visit one of our closest friends battling a nasty aggressive cancer.  When it was first discovered, she went through a round of chemotherapy which was not effective.  She’s now undergoing a different round of infusions in hopes that they are more successful.

We have been amazed at how well our friend has held up in dealing with the pains of the cancer itself, as well as the invasive treatments.  If it weren’t for the loss of her hair (which incidentally, she carries off well,) you would not know what she’s been going through.  Her internal struggles are not evident through her outward behaviors.

More often than not, I find this to be true for all of us.  To some degree, behavior is communication – but it only tells part of our stories.  So, in your interaction with others, especially ones involving difficult behaviors, extend a little grace.  We all have unseen challenges, and a response of empathy and understanding will always be better than one of judgment.