After the hail storms a few weeks back, we had a ton of roofers descend on our neighborhood. They began knocking on my door – because they’d looked at my roof through binoculars while inspecting my neighbor’s roof!
Of course, I needed a new roof, and some other very expensive repairs (according to them). So I called my insurance company, like many of you. According to them, I needed some housing repairs, but no new roof. Who do I believe?
Of course, we may jump to the conclusion to believe the roofers. The insurance company has a vested interest in our NOT needing a new roof. Now, I have had my share of struggles with an insurance adjuster. But if I am suspicious of my insurance company, why do I pay them every year for my homeowners insurance? Why would I trust the opinion of a roofer who is only in town to make some money, and then leaves? If I am that suspicious of my insurance company, I must not be too intelligent to pay them all that money!
So, instead of jumping to conclusions about the company, I called an independent third party who had a good reference. They helped clear it all up.
It seems so easy in life to believe the person we know less about. We hear part of the truth, and we run with it. It happens in businesses. A work associate of yours has been let go. Of course he had no idea it was coming. He’d been performing above average for years. The big, bad boss let him go, for no reason. Really? Oh, yeah, and come to find out, this was the third time.
It happens in our neighborhoods, and in our families, and with our friends. We find it easier to be angry with the people that are closer to us, than with someone we don't really know, and shouldn't trust. Of course, our friends can be in the wrong. But we should probably start with the premise that the person we know has his own view of the story. It would probably be the "polite" thing to call them and ask. And biblical. Always be objective. It’ll save you a ton of heartache.
