Judgement Free Zone

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At my gym on the walls in tall vinyl letters are the words “Judgement Free Zone.”

I often feel like I should get to the gym more often. When I do get there, I read the message and think to myself “I’m here, that’s a good thing.”

True also in recovery. I’ve been in a number of different programs. Some have transactional measurements of success. Days sober, which step I am working on, how many people I’ve reached out to that week.

Others accept me as I am and where I am. The focus is on feeling God’s love. Feeling whole. Feeling accepted.

It is an interesting line to cross. Where is honesty, vulnerability, and following through vs enabling, dismissing, and dishonesty?

But that is very A vs. B thinking. It is limiting and doesn’t take into account a third option.

Option C is love.

Christ ALWAYS takes us where we are RIGHT NOW. That doesn’t mean there aren’t consequences. But it does mean there is ALWAYS love and acceptance.

And the love and acceptance doesn’t have to be earned. It just is. From the God with the “I AM” title, His Love is simple.

And He is full of Grace and Truth.

I’ve made it a mission the past few years to surround myself with people, places and things which accept me where I am today - but also encourage me to keep moving forward. I’ve found a lot more peace in acceptance and love and I am propelled forward to want to do more, give more, love more, and be more accepting and full of grace.

Whenever I feel out of sorts, I do an analysis. Am I in a judgment free zone? If not, what is my part? Am I allowing shame to define who I am? What can I do to change things? And then I take action.

What’s Next?

  • Examine where you are and what you can change.

  • Where are you feeling judgmental? Pray for grace. Pray to see the other person as God sees them. Pray for them each day. Your prayer may initially be “God, I don’t like this person, but I know You love me and You love everyone. Today I surrender my lack of love towards them.” Eventually your heart will change. For me, one surrender took a really long time. But it came.

  • Examine how you can provide a more loving and accepting relationship with others.

God loves you.

By Pete, Writing Team