| Living Free
Oct. 29, 2009
Living Free Every Day®
Bear with One Another
Today's Scripture
"Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others." Colossians 3:13 NLT
Thoughts for Today
Sometimes forgiving a large offense seems easier than being gracious about those little day-to-day annoyances. Almost everyone has habits or mannerisms that others might find irritating. And let's face it—that includes us!
If we aren't willing to make allowances for other people's faults, we will greatly limit our ability to develop meaningful relationships—relationships that God could use to help fulfill his plan for our church or ministry.
Consider this…
Do you sometimes focus on people's faults, rather than their needs? Their weaknesses rather than their strengths? Do you allow those negative focuses to block your ability to love and encourage? To work together toward a common goal?
God calls us to walk in forgiveness, to make allowance for each other's faults. He forgave us—how can we do less? He is so gracious toward us in our day-to-day walk—how can we refuse this same graciousness toward our brothers and sisters in Christ?
Prayer
Father, sometimes I get sidetracked by petty annoyances. Please forgive me and help me make allowances for others' faults, just as I hope they will do for me. In Jesus' name …
These thoughts were drawn from…
Understanding Depression: Overcoming Despair through Christ by Donald G. Miles, Ed.D.
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