Bear With

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” – Ephesians 4:2 NIV

It was one of those days that occur far too often, where I am given an opportunity to live out my faith under frustrating circumstances. It was just a routine physical at the clinic. I showed up on time, but was informed that I needed to have some labs done before I could go to my appointment. This seemed odd because I hadn’t been told to come early for labs. So I asked, “Which labs?“ The person behind the desk seemed to be new, and this question she could not answer. So I asked if I could just see the doctor first, and was told that the instructions said labs were to be done first. After 15 frustrating minutes and multiple people trying to help, it still wasn’t resolved when the nurse came to get me. I told her the issue, and she said, “Oh, you can just do your labs after you meet with the doctor.” Arrgh! This is what I asked to do 15 minutes ago.

I know this is a small thing. But small frustrations are often what cause us to think or say the most unchristian things. We yell (at least under our breath) at the too-slow driver or the too-fast ones. We grumble when the new employee helping us is struggling to learn their job. We take offense when we are inconvenienced. And we let these things dwell in our minds until they ruin our whole day.

This is when I need to remind myself that these petty inconveniences and small frustrations are just another opportunity to practice what the bible teaches: “Bear with one another in love,” we are told. “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient.” My day would go so much better if, instead of grumbling, I were simply patient, bearing with others in love. That attitude would also help me be more inclined to pray for the employee who is having her own frustrating day. 

Peace and patience,

Pastor Mark