Forbearance means patient, tolerant, giving up your right for vindication.
A big challenge for so many of us is giving up our right to be vindicated. We have no patience, we live in an instant world and we think God is an Instant Pot and our answer should be immediate.
I have learned that any delay I have experienced was for my God. During seasons of waiting we are growing. Many times we fail to realize that God has to prepare us for the next step of our journey.
We don’t always have to be right. We don’t always have to have the last word.
Sometimes saying nothing is the best choice.
There are people who are just starting their journey with the Lord and we need to have patience with them. We think everyone should be on our level and that’s not true. We all serve God at our own pace. We all grow at different levels. We all have different scars and pain. We come from different walks and journeys. Be understanding, be caring, be a listener, be encouraging, be an example of Jesus.
I think this is a fruit we all struggle with, we want our vindication. We need to be right. Sometimes we just need to be silent. For me that is definitely a challenge but in the last few years God has really helped me to learn when to be silent. I used to fly off and speak without regards to any consequences. I have learned that when I take my mouth off situations that God can and will move. We don’t have to fight for ourselves. He fights for us. He protects us.
We need to understand hurting people hurt others. Sometimes we want an answer right then, we don’t understand why we have to wait but as we allow this fruit to grow in our life we begin to understand God’s ways our best. His timing is perfect.
Romans 3:25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins
Ephesians 4:2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,
Matthew 5:38-41“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.
