An Inescapable Reality

Since other people cannot read our thoughts and intentions, sooner or later someone is going to misinterpret our words or actions. Potential for misunderstandings abounds.  At times, we simply fail to express our thoughts with the desired clarity and precision. Background noise and other distractions may make it hard for others to devote their full attention to us.

Certain ways and manners too are open to misinterpretation.  A timid person, for instance, may wrongly be judged to be cool, aloof, or proud. Past personal experiences may result in emotional rather than rational reactions to certain situations. Cultural and linguistic differences mean that comprehension cannot be taken for granted. Add to this inaccurate reporting and gossip, and it should not surprise us that meanings attributed to things said or done  sometimes differ from what originally intended. All of this, of course, offers scant comfort to those who sense that their intentions have been misconstrued.

For example, Anna made an innocent remark about the popularity  of an absent friend. The remark was repeated out of context, and then, to Anna's surprise and dismay, that friend angrily accused her before several onlookers of being jealous of the attentions the friend had received from a certain male associate. Anna's remark had been completely misinterpreted, and all of her efforts to assure her friend that she intended no harm proved fruitless.  That situation caused a great deal of pain, and much time passed before Anna could completely rectify the misunderstanding. 

Next time: Conclusion of An Inescapable Reality

From the Watchtower magazine, 2001