February 28
Bearing with
One Another
Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Daily Steps
Peaceful relationships are built not on finding perfect people, but on learning to live with imperfect ones—including ourselves! This verse provides a practical and essential strategy for maintaining unity: bearing with one another.
"Bearing with" someone means patient endurance. It's the quiet choice to put up with annoyances, quirks, and small offenses without demanding instant change or perfect behavior. This patience is necessary because we are all imperfect and growing.
This instruction is immediately followed by the command to forgive one another when a grievance does arise. The foundation for both patience and forgiveness is the same: "Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Your vast, unearned forgiveness from God empowers you to offer patient endurance and pardon to those around you.
When you practice bearing with others, you exchange conflict for a profound peace rooted in realistic expectations and divine generosity.
Reflective Question
Is there a specific habit or characteristic of a loved one that is testing your patience right now? How can you consciously choose to "bear with" that person today, rooted in the patience God has shown you?
Prayer
Lord, I thank You for Your endless patience in bearing with my flaws. I confess that I lack patience with others.
Help me to remember the measure of Your forgiveness and grant me the grace to patiently bear with each other.
May I extend Your generous forgiveness quickly when grievances arise, securing the peace and unity of my relationships. Amen.
