I Thessalonians 5:14 What They Need Vs Who I Am - BLOGGING THE BIBLE- JournalHome.com

10/12/2010 - I Thessalonians 5:14 What They Need Vs Who I Am

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SCRIPTURE: I Thessalonians 5:14 Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.

OBSERVATION: One of the biggest mistakes we make in helping people is to treat people according to our personality rather than their need. If we are the "warning" kind of people, we tend to "warn" everyone, no matter their true need. If we are encouragers, we encourage, if we are care takers, we give care. The problem is, not everyone needs encouragement or "tender care" at any given moment--they might just need a swift (but loving) kick in the rear!! We need the Holy Spirit's insight to know what each kind of person needs so that we are not enablers but helpers.
For many of us the being patient part is the real challenge. We want to see change and we want to see it now. Patience communicates acceptance and acceptance is the only true basis for seeing real change. When someone sees that I am patient and kind with them then they can fill comfortable in taking the risk to try living in a new way. It is a semi-absurdity of life that we need to know that we are accepted just the way we are before we can begin to change into something else.

APPLICATION: Patience is the part I need to work on. I expect everyone (especially family) to get "it" as fast as possible. I need to give room for others weaknesses and be as patient with them as God is with me.

PRAYER: Let me never forget how patient and loving You are to me. Give me the grace to be that patient with the failings of others--even when they cause me pain and discomfort.

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