Bearing

DEVOTION
COLOSSIANS
BEARING
Col 3:13-14
13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
NIV
Just grin and bear it. Not sure that really is the whole of the story here. Yet the Greek word does imply to put up with. So I simply just have to grin and bear it. I have no other choice but to put up with other people no matter how dumb, stupid, crazy, annoying or frustrating they are. I am jesting of course, or am I. I do think from time to time I get a little not bearing with others. I do think I have the possibility to think I need not have to put up with some of the ways of others. Yet here it is, right in my face. Who do I think I am that I should not put up with others? Do I think more of myself then I should? Here it is, right up front, plain and simple, I must put up with others. That is I really do need to see each other person as the same as myself, which certainly goes hand in hand with the next action of forgiving whatever grievances I may have against anyone. I have to ask myself, do I even have any grievances? I know at times, I may get my feelings hurt by someone. I know at times, I might get a little bent out of shape over how I am treated. I know I might even get a little pain inside when I am ignored. Do those count as grievances? Maybe, maybe not, but I know those feelings are not right, as it indicates I might be thinking more highly of myself then I should. This too would be a cause for not forgiving. If I am able to forgive whatever, then I also am able to put up with. I know in my spirit this is right and just, it is Christ like and pure. Yet I know that in my flesh it is extremely difficult to comply. I certainly need more and more of Christ each day. I definitely need the divine influence upon my heart so that it is him who is reflected to the people around me and not me who is being seen. When I truly remember my position in Christ, a sinner saved by grace, then I am positively able to bear with and forgive. Thank you Lord!