Love believes all things. I think that is one of the greatest statements. There is such beauty, grace, and security in it. Paul isn't talking about being gullible when he said that. If you put it with the rest of the love statements he's made, you can see he's talking about giving someone the benefit of the doubt. Instead of jumping to a negative conclusion, assume the best first. If the negative conclusion is the correct one, that truth will eventually be found out and can be dealt with. But a lot of people have done more harm thinking the worst about what someone did or said, instead of keeping an open mind and thinking the best.

I know this looks like we're setting ourselves up to look like a fool. I personally think that what makes us look foolish is how we handle the situation when we discover we were wrong when we thought the best of someone. If we start ranting and raving about the other person and become nasty towards them, that will make us look foolish. But if we remain calm, and treat the situation in a gracious and Christian manner, people watching the situation may develop respect for us and become interested in why we are being so gracious.  In the end, we may end up leading another soul to Jesus.

Thinking the best of others is really a matter of trust in our Lord. If we have Him in our lives and our confidence comes from Him, then it doesn't matter what someone does or says. We know we are still God's child and nothing anyone says, does, or thinks, diminishes that.  We also know He will guide us as we deal with the people who come into our lives.

It's so much better if we believe all words and actions in the positive until proven otherwise. We will be happier, relaxed, and more confident when we do. Our Father in Heaven will help us deal with the negative when we need to.