Judging someone by the moment of their behavior, attitude or response to us is always faulty. We never know what they are experiencing, what is going on with their health, what personal trauma they recently encountered, or their mindset at the time.
Thinking about our own life will give us more compassion for theirs. We are all on this earth together. If we have the time, we can ask them how their day is going and give them an opportunity to share their troubles with us. This will help to lighten their load of concerns, as it lets them know that someone cares about them.
If we are rushed for time, we can merely say, “I will be praying for a special blessing for you today.” Most people, even unbelievers, will respond positively to this promise. If nothing else, we can at least practice patience with them and not add to their anxiety.
Taking a break from our own problems may even ease our load of cares, because it lets us see that we are not alone and that everyone has issues in this world. God’s Word encourages us to practice patience with one another in a humble and gentle attitude (Ephesians 4:2).
Patience is a virtue from which we tend to shy away. In this “instant” society we created for ourselves, we hate to wait. Some people believe that if we pray for more patience, then God will send us adversity as an answer to that prayer. I have learned that adversity will come anyway.
Therefore, embracing the interruptions of our day, rather than resisting them, will allow patience to have her perfecting work in us (James 1:4). This requires that we loosen our grip on our own goals and agenda, and patiently accept what God allows to come our way.
Of course, spiritual warfare may accost us, but drawing near to God allows us to resist the devil, and he has to flee from us (James 4:7). Then, we make room in our heart for our fellow sojourners in life – even perfect strangers - and share God’s agape love with them by taking an interest in them and their problems.
Prayer:
Father God, remind us that we can always make eye contact and smile at others while we rush through our day. You can use this simple action to change another’s life, because it lets them know that they are not alone. You taught me that a stranger is simply a potential new friend. Teach us to show kindness to our self and to others, to practice patience in every situation, to genuinely care for one another and to communicate that affection in simple ways.
Help us to love others, and to pray for them at that moment of our encounter as well as throughout the day, so that You can intervene in their circumstances and draw them closer to You. Remind us that when You are the focus of our life, we abide in Your perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3). When we acknowledge that You are close to us, and when we call out to You with sincere motives, then You will fulfill the cries of our heart and save us from our self and our circumstances (Psalm 145:18-19).
Thought for the Day:
As we face life with the assurance that God is near to us – even within us – and He knows our unspoken requests and deepest needs, regardless of how heavy our burdens are at the time, we see more victories in our life, we face each issue with faith in His faithfulness, and we walk in His Spirit each moment of our day.
- 1 Peter 3:14-22
