katie_davis1
03-22-2007, 09:53 PM
"Love doesn't run away or give up when things get difficult, as they are sure to get at times. It hangs in there and with God's help it gently teaches what is right and true. Love is more concerned about the other person. It will try to understand why they act the way they do and if possible, try to help the person. Love will even endure a lot to help someone find their way to God.
The best ever example of this is Jesus. He put up with the arguing of His disciples, and with crowds of people constantly wanting to be with Him. That was long-suffering, not enduring. But when He was arrested, beaten, made fun of, and then crucified, that was His love enduring all. He endured it all because someone had to pay the price. Someone had to die. Christ endured all of it for us because of His great love for us.
I'm not suggesting that we let people physically beat us up, but we can endure the unkind words and thoughtlessness of others so that we can help them find their Answer. We don't run to someone else and tell them of the unkind actions or words, and try to get them on our side against the other person. We also don't put on long faces or sigh loudly, hoping someone will see our suffering. We endure it quietly, knowing that we are paying a meaningful price for something of extraordinary value. The minute we open our mouths and complain about the other person, we lose all chances of helping them - we ourselves are now damaging the possibility of them being helped, while we further diminish ourselves.
People are hurtful and unkind because they either don't understand or because they're hurting in some way. Remembering that will help take the sting out of their words and actions and we will then be able to find ways to educate or help relieve their suffering. Love takes the focus off ourselves and our suffering and puts it on others, which is the most effective, meaningful and self-sustaining way to ease our suffering."
~Sandra Matthews-Sarve~
This is one of those quotes that continually plays in my mind throughout my day. I hate that I so badly want to be loving all the time, and then I catch myself sitting in class thinking in my head "what the heck is she wearing." I'm so blessed that Christ has saved us. I feel that so many people in the Christian Church have really made things so much more confusing, when reality is all we need to do is love. If we truly love God and love our neighbors (the 2 greatest commandments) everything else would fall into play. I know its so much easier said than done; I just find it encouraging when I am debating an issue or just living daily life. I hope that this quote blesses many of your lives as it has mine. (Man, I sure wish I would have written that) ;)
The best ever example of this is Jesus. He put up with the arguing of His disciples, and with crowds of people constantly wanting to be with Him. That was long-suffering, not enduring. But when He was arrested, beaten, made fun of, and then crucified, that was His love enduring all. He endured it all because someone had to pay the price. Someone had to die. Christ endured all of it for us because of His great love for us.
I'm not suggesting that we let people physically beat us up, but we can endure the unkind words and thoughtlessness of others so that we can help them find their Answer. We don't run to someone else and tell them of the unkind actions or words, and try to get them on our side against the other person. We also don't put on long faces or sigh loudly, hoping someone will see our suffering. We endure it quietly, knowing that we are paying a meaningful price for something of extraordinary value. The minute we open our mouths and complain about the other person, we lose all chances of helping them - we ourselves are now damaging the possibility of them being helped, while we further diminish ourselves.
People are hurtful and unkind because they either don't understand or because they're hurting in some way. Remembering that will help take the sting out of their words and actions and we will then be able to find ways to educate or help relieve their suffering. Love takes the focus off ourselves and our suffering and puts it on others, which is the most effective, meaningful and self-sustaining way to ease our suffering."
~Sandra Matthews-Sarve~
This is one of those quotes that continually plays in my mind throughout my day. I hate that I so badly want to be loving all the time, and then I catch myself sitting in class thinking in my head "what the heck is she wearing." I'm so blessed that Christ has saved us. I feel that so many people in the Christian Church have really made things so much more confusing, when reality is all we need to do is love. If we truly love God and love our neighbors (the 2 greatest commandments) everything else would fall into play. I know its so much easier said than done; I just find it encouraging when I am debating an issue or just living daily life. I hope that this quote blesses many of your lives as it has mine. (Man, I sure wish I would have written that) ;)