Most of us, at some point in our lives, have probably been warned not to judge a book by its cover. It’s a fairly well known phrase and apparently has been around since before 1860, so you would think that a large percentage of the population would know not to judge things, people, or books on their outward appearance. Sadly it seems they don’t.
It’s terribly easy to assume that just because something or someone looks a certain way you know exactly how they will act or feel on specific topics. We easily jump to conclusions about people’s backgrounds, education, and social status based on their physical attributes. We judge countries and places based on what we’ve heard or read from afar. We even judge God without really finding out anything about him.
Appearances can be deceiving
When we started dating, my husband and I were once mistaken for brother and sister. We are both white. Both have brown hair and I guess our facial features hold similarities but we are definitely not blood relatives (promise!) The funny thing is that while on the surface it could be assumed that we are the same, even possibly family, underneath we are actually very different. We were born in different countries. Our mother tongues are different. Our home cultures are different and our family background is also, well, different. The funny thing is that to look at us, none of these things are immediately apparent but that doesn’t mean they aren’t vital components of who we are as individuals.
Scratch beneath the surface
The thing about assumptions is that they are often based on little or unreliable information. Assumptions are usually made quickly and without investment of time or effort and tend to lead to mistakes. When we judge something purely based on face value, we run the risk of either over-estimating or under-appreciating its true value. Just because something or someone looks amazing, doesn’t mean they can deliver on other levels. Conversely, something that is lacking in aesthetic appeal may hold hidden treasures beneath the surface. The trick is taking the time to look a little deeper, develop stronger ties, and ask real questions.