An important character strength to develop is tolerance – being patient, understanding, and accepting of something different. We live in a world where there is a mixture of many cultures and behaviours, traditions and beliefs. The things one family values will be quite different than those of another. For many of us, part of the challenge to be tolerant is learning how to be around others who are at a different place in recovery than we are.
Too often we expect others to take our weaknesses into account no matter the impact, or we expect others to find a clean and sober life in exactly the same way we did. Truth is, we all come into this new life with God in recovery from different places on the path. God loves all of us. God invites all of us. Jesus paid the price for the wrong of all of us.
Jesus confronted a group of people, who themselves weren't perfect, yet who were condemning a woman for her wrongs, wanting to stone her to death. His advice to them was:
So he [Jesus] stood up and said to them, “Has any one of you not sinned? Then you be the first to throw a stone at her.” ...Those who heard what he had said began to go away. They left one at a time, the older ones first ... Jesus stood up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Hasn’t anyone found you guilty?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then I don’t find you guilty either,” Jesus said. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:7-11 NIRV)
Jesus calls all of us to stop sinning and receive forgiveness. To show respect and tolerance doesn't hide the need for change but it does help all of us to remember that we are all on equal ground. We would do well to focus on making an inventory of our own character defects and simply focus on loving others, blessing them and praying that they will find the forgiveness and healing Jesus is offering them.
Be tolerant with one another and forgive one another whenever any of you has a complaint against someone else. You must forgive one another just as the Lord has forgiven you. (Colossians 3:13 GNT)
Prayer: Heavenly Father, at my worst You treated me with compassion and mercy. Help me to walk with respect and humility among others who live and act differently from what I value. Help us all to come to You for forgiveness and new life. Amen
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