Extremist of one race hating those of another. Political extremist.
Extreme Christian. Extreme Atheist. Extreme Islam.
Extremely great days. Extremely positive outlooks. Extremely good luck.
Extremely rich. Extremely humble.
Extremely depressed. Extremely self-centered. Extremely poor.
How is it that we can easily zone in on one extreme situation, person, religion, political stance and make that the blanket example and base for an entire subject group?
Be it as basic as extremes being present in the subject of our days, our emotions, our outlook or more in depth as religion, politics, world situations would have.
We are naïve to not look at the bigger picture. To segregate one instance and make it the narrative for the rest.
Recently I've gone from the extreme of feeling put together and positive to the opposite extreme of feeling discouraged, tired and lost. It is far too easy to go from one extreme to the next.
Extremes are everywhere. It is how we define people, situations, actions, reactions to the furthest degree, with intensity and utmost point. To base our thoughts off of someone or something that is living through one extreme-be it mentally, physically, spiritually-is to think inside the box and not take all other factors into account.
In general, the phrase bolded below and ideas to it are where I will end. But, I would like to say that living in an extreme is, in my opinion, a dangerous and tricky place. Be convicted in what you believe. Stand strong in it. But don't take it to the furthest point that you lose track of what your faith is in, don't let the world tempt you to go to the extreme of loosing your focus.
Extreme depression isn't healthy, but to be okay with temporary sadness is.
Extreme pride will only lead you to the edge of your pedestal waiting for the moment it falls out from beneath you.
Extreme religion has proven to drive people away, to kill and persecute others that stand against it, to show hatred, not love and grace.
Extreme overthinking will plant seeds of doubt in you, and the longer you water it the more they will grow.
When it comes to situations of extremes, there is always some sort of person or people involved. So, to the phrase bolded below...
Love the sinner, hate the sin.
Some people say that statement is hypocritical. That you are still judging and thus not truly loving the sinner. I almost think if we took the word 'sin' out of the phrase that those with their guards up towards more extreme Chrisitans wouldn't find it as hypocritical. Let's take out hate, too-it's too intense, but a synonym of it, dislike, seems less harsh.
Love the decision maker, dislike the decision.
That's not judgment. That is unconditional love. That despite the actions someone takes, despite not agreeing with them, you still show them love them.
When people or situations go the extreme, it's okay to disagree. It's okay to draw from the motto of love the sinner, not the sin. It's okay to stand in your beliefs, your faith, your ideas-but if it is out of hate and judgment keep it to yourself.
My point being--each situation to it's own. Arguments and debates rise to extreme too easily, clouding our vision. Life is not just white versus black. Christian versus atheist. Rich versus poor.
Regain focus. Remember to look beyond the extremes that are out there, that are in your daily life, that you personally may be stuck in. If a sign says 'extremely delicious ice-cream', get in line, otherwise go with caution and take off your blinders.
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