Patience With Others

We have this fleshly ingrained defensive mind set that we must be understood; a stubborn manner of believing that people need to get us, to understand us, and to agree with us. We will go to great lengths to argue our points and express our opinions in trying to make people understand. We are called to speak the Truth, share our faith, pray, and then leave it up to God.

Jesus never defended who He was. When people turned their backs on Him, it didn't anger Him. When Christ hung from the cross people snared, shouted insults and said if you are the King, prove it and come down off that cross. If you do, then we will believe. Did He get down? No. Why? Because it was His calling as the Son of God, God’s will, and He because He lovingly accepted the punishment due to us. He also knew that even if He had granted such requests for proof, they still would not have believed. When they threw insults, objects and punches He didn't become enraged, He became sad. Imagine that immense kind of love.

We love to argue and we despise being misunderstood. Hearts have become calloused instead of softened. Instead of swallowing our pride, regardless of whom is to blame in a situation, we choose to ignore. We would rather wait, forever perhaps, until people come to us in resolution. Christ did not turn from the Cross saying "it's not my fault." He accepted it. He embraced it. He did it for you, and for me. Are you capable of that same kind of love? People may not hear, but continue to speak. They may not understand, but continue to be patient. They may get angry, but continue to show them love. That same love was given to you on the cross.

"You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them." Matthew 13:13-15