Long ago, a friend explained to me that a negative situation needs to have a skeleton to make sense. No, my friend wasn't talking about the skeleton in my closet. He meant that people will grab onto whatever information is available, whether true or false, to make sense of something they don't understand.

By providing a skeleton of truth, we give people a framework that will hold healing instead of disinformation, lies, misconceptions, assumptions, and eventually death in a relationship. This is true whether in our own clashes with people or on a national level.

On May 25th George Floyd was brutally killed. He was murdered by those who were called to protect and defend him. In response to this horrific injustice and all that it represented, people stood up and said, "NO!" through lawful protest. Whether you agree with how people are handling this or not, the fact is there’s a deeper pain underneath. One of racism, a people grieving and angry.

How do we process all of that?

After all, Jesus stood up and caused a table-turning riot in the temple courtyard......BUT He didn't harm people, their livelihood, or even animals. His focus was to bring attention and clarity to unrighteousness and injustice. It was a form of protest. How do we sift through all the information coming at us from all directions? What's right and what isn't? Where did wrong replace right? How do we respond?

Thankfully, the Lord has provided a framework for us to measure information... what we take in, and what we should reject.

Here's how we find that skeletal framework:

Look for the threads within a situation that speak of justice, mercy, kindness, and humbleness.

When these threads are woven together, they become the skeletal framework that all other information can cling to, bringing clarity. (If the opinions you hear don't fit these qualifiers, throw the information out!)

Micah 6:8 puts it like this: "He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?" (NKJV)

Any action or thought that fits with doing justly, loving mercy and kindness, and walking in humility before the Lord—that's good information. It makes a sturdy support for our thoughts, opinions, and actions.

Now, let's get personal...

To be a godly change-maker in any situation, ask yourself:

How can I "do" justly in this situation? How can I love and validate mercy and kindness here? What does walking in humbleness look like right here, right now? Are my choices and actions good? (Hint, hint...if it is good, it will radiate the character of Jesus.)

Sounds simple, doesn't it? But how many people apply this skeletal structure to the situations they face?

And will you filter "do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before God" to the things told to you by others...whether through casual conversations, gossip, social media, or the news?

Let's make a difference by speaking up and acting for justice (do justly), love mercy through kindness, listening, and seeking to understand, and walking humbly with God by honoring those He has placed us among.

Susan Gaddis is a Christian Life Coach with over 43 years of experience as a pastoral counselor, speaker, author, and legacy coach. She helps women over 50 unravel the challenges that come with the aging journey and provides them with the tools they need to confidently navigate its twists and turns. As a guide, coach, and cheerleader, you’ll find Susan hanging out at https://susangaddis.net.