So, there are seasons when people temporarily shift from who they normally are. It might be grief, pressure, heartbreak, insecurity or an internal battle they have not fully processed. In those moments, the version of them you meet is coloured by what they are navigating.
I am learning that discernment in friendship is not only about knowing who someone is at their core. It is also about recognising who they are at this moment. People can act out of pain, fear or confusion, and if you do not notice the difference, you may take it personally and respond from the wrong place.
Wisdom requires paying attention. It means asking, “Is this truly them, or is this their pain speaking?” A good heart does not take away the need for caution, curiosity and clear thinking.
Question:
Who in your life might be acting from a temporary place, not their true self?