How Long Can You Endure?
“It is not irritable,”
1 Corinthians 13:5 NLT
http://bible.com/116/1co.13.5.nlt
Now here comes the most difficult part! We all have that one point in life where we know we are about to explode. The only difference is that the boiling point of every individual is different. Some can be the epitome of patience while some can be so irritable that it takes only a small prank to get them to lose their patience.
Well, Paul clearly says that you will be extra patient if you have love. It simply means that you understand everyone here on earth is weak. We all have some weak areas that we struggle to deal with. Understanding that helps us to be patient. We give the other person time to deal with their weaknesses. We realise that we can't change a person, only God can. It's not our duty to change a person.
“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”
Romans 3:23 NLT
http://bible.com/116/rom.3.23.nlt
We all have fallen short pf His glorious standard, yet He loves us; He is madly in love with us. He is patient with us and keeps accepting us when we run to Him. The story of the Prodigal Son explains it the best.
But then there's another side to it as well. There are people who are teachable and those who are not. There are people who are really struggling with their weaknesses and there are people who will try their best to provoke you. And the Bible clearly mentions not to provoke.
“Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.”
Galatians 5:26 NLT
http://bible.com/116/gal.5.26.nlt
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.”
Ephesians 6:4 NLT
http://bible.com/116/eph.6.4.nlt
It's better to distance ourselves from such people and let God deal with them. But with people who are genuinely struggling, let's be patient just as God is with us.
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