The Trap of a Single Story
Have you ever been judged for just one mistake? A single weak moment that tainted an entire relationship. We’ve all been caught in someone else’s narrow story of us. We live in a world where it’s easy to judge quickly. One incident, word, or first impression can define our whole story. Scripture reminds us that people are more than the single stories we see.
1 Samuel 16:7, “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
Look at the lives of these four prominent characters that ultimately crafted the narrative of the Bible:
Rahab the Prostitute (Joshua 2; Matthew 1:5)
To Jericho, she was considered a prostitute. She was not only a woman in a male-dominated society, but her profession placed her on the fringes of civilized behavior. Yet, in God’s eyes, she was a woman of faith who sheltered spies and was a part of the Messiah’s family tree. A single story of sin was not her final story.
Like Rahab, Moses’ story demonstrates that one failure doesn’t invalidate God’s calling.
Moses the Murderer (Exodus 2; Acts 7)
Moses fled into the wilderness after killing an Egyptian. He lived a shepherd’s life, tending his father-in-law’s sheep. God rewrote his story: deliverer, prophet, lawgiver. The first impression did not define his purpose.
The story of Peter reminds us that even repeated mistakes can be redeemed.
Peter the Denier (Luke 22; John 21)
Peter was a mess. After three years of learning from Jesus, he still did not understand. Most remember him for denying Jesus three times. However, Jesus forgave him: “Feed my sheep.” He became the rock of the early church.
Paul began as an enforcer of the anti-Christ movement, but he was still part of God’s plan to redeem humanity.
Paul the Persecutor (Acts 9)
This is probably the most incredible story of all. Despite Paul’s career choices, God understood his heart. We know his early history of threatening Christians. He even held the cloaks of those who stoned Stephen. God transformed him into one of the greatest missionaries and writers in the New Testament. God’s story of grace replaced his backstory of violence.
The Problem with Partial Information
As humans, our understanding is limited by the physical world around us. The way we perceive life is shaped by our experiences and the constraints of the world around us. However, God is not bound by the physical laws He created; He is not constrained by the flow of time. We see moments. God sees lifetimes. We see a chapter. God sees the entire book. Not only that, but it is His story being told by Himself. Nothing is new or unknown.
“The proof of love is the willingness to listen.” – Mike Murdock.
When we face a hostile interaction, the outbursts or failures often stem from hidden causes like wounds, fears, or past experiences. There’s a story behind it waiting to be told. Those who offend us are often just trying to be understood. It is during those moments that we, as Christians, have an opportunity to reflect Christ. This is our chance to listen to their story.
James 1:19, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.”
How God Calls Us to Respond
Look beyond the surface; do not let labels or single events define people in your mind. Ask yourself: What might God still be writing in their story? God uses every moment to shape us into the individuals He wants us to become. This interaction is not accidental. It is not just about them. It is meant to shape you. So, the first question is: What do You, God, want me to learn from this?
God calls us to extend grace to others as Christ did. Jesus saw potential in the Samaritan woman at the well, while others only saw shame. He offered her living water, not condemnation. He looked beyond the immediate encounter toward eternity. When emotions run high, can we look past the moment and focus on eternity?
The best approach is to let them tell their whole story. Giving them space to vent decreases tension and helps you gather your thoughts and calm your emotions. It also allows you to understand the background and the true origin of the interaction.
Remember how God writes new chapters in your life and the lives of others.
Practical Application
In business: Do not dismiss someone after a failure.
In ministry: Do not judge a seeker based on their past life.
Within family: Remember that even those who stumble can rise again by God’s grace.
Everyone’s story is never truly complete until God brings it to a close. Do not settle for just chapter one or even chapter ten. Trust that He is weaving redemption, even when all you see is brokenness. The danger of a single story is that it leaves no room for grace. However, God’s story always offers space for redemption.
Philippians 1:6: “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”