Okay, let’s face it- we’re all imperfect people. But somehow we feel the imperfections of others are sometimes unforgivable. But we can overlook our imperfections because our heart is right? Divine love always is patient with people. God understands our imperfections and loves us in spite of them. Whether at home or traveling or simply shopping, we face people every day that try our patience. So how do we overcome our impatience?
“Love suffers long, having patience with imperfect people.” 1 Corinthians 13:4 Hayford translation
Since according to Romans 5:5 “the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” then we don’t have to try to love people ourselves. The good news is God gave us His very love with which to love others.
So it’s not a stretch to say “I suffer long with people”. I have patience with imperfect people- even my mother in law. God gave me His love to love people like He would.
So how do we have patience with imperfect people? I ask God to show me how He loves them. Hidden inside every person is a little child with insecurities. Inside every person are hurts from the past. Inside every person are both physical and mental pains and needs. It helps me to believe the best of every person. I’m sure they are tired. I’m sure they are threatened or fearful. This doesn’t excuse their bad behavior, but it does help me love them in spite of it. We will never know the “why” behind the reasons, so we simply have the choice to forgive, to love and to give people the benefit of the doubt. We can choose not to become personally offended by their behavior.
Is it easy? Nope. Can we do it? Yes with God’s love. I sometimes ask myself “would I do any better than they are doing if I had gone through what they have? Maybe not!
