What words are more poignant than, "He (or she) always understands"? Understanding is a quality we yearn for and appreciate most in a relative, a friend, or anyone especially close. And don't we in turn want to be the one who understands?
Today the reasons and emotions behind the acts of others are of enormous interest to many of us. No longer is it enough to set standards for behavior and judge an individual according to how he measures up. We look for insights to discover why he acts as he does and to help him if his actions or attitudes cause problems. We try to understand ourselves, too, to escape feelings of guilt and to overcome limitations.
This expanded desire for human understanding is the reason many people study psychology, philosophy, anthropology, and literature. Such studies are often interesting and helpful to many, but to get at the essence of understanding requires something more spiritually penetrating than human systems of study can offer. It requires sincere, prayerful love.
