An important character strength to develop is tolerance, which is being patient, understanding, and accepting of something different from what we are familiar with. 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 and negate the impact they have, or we expect others to find a clean and sober life the same way we did. Truth is, we all come into this 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 wrongdoing of all of us.
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)
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 the way I now value. Help all of us to come to You for forgiveness and receive new life. Amen
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