Bear With Each Other... PLEASE!

"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you ma have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." -- Colossians 3:12 Let's face it--people are difficult sometimes. I haven't met a person (me included) who doesn't have specific quirks and issues. Sometimes issues that people have can rub against us like sandpaper. And sometimes these people don't even know that they are being abrasive or even have an issue! Yet we are told to "Bear with each other" and to forgive. Out of all my experience with difficult people, I have only one real conclusion that I can come to--most of them don't even realize that they are being difficult and see themselves as victims and are just trying to be loved! Think of three people in your life that are "difficult" people. How do you come up with that? Easy! Think of one of your favorite activities, and then think of the three people you would least like to show up! If you like golf, who do you not want to golf with? If you like fishing, who do you not want to fish with? If you like shopping, who do you not want to shop with? Learning to bear with these people is the first step to letting them feel liked and even loved. Sure, maybe they have real behavioral issues to work out, but they will never get to them without first feeling accepted and loved. God commands us to bear with each other--and if that wasn't reason enough, think of all the good that could follow from simple forgiveness!