Humble, patient, gentle, loving...hmmm. That is hard stuff when put all together. Let's see if we have a verse to shed light on this.
Ephesians 4:2(NIV) ~ "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."
Ephesians 4:2(KJV) ~ "...with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;"
The KJV uses terms that mean just the same as humble, gentle, patient, and love. But with each verse it can be easier to look at and dissect.
We all know that person, or maybe more, that really challenges us to be humble and low, and meek and kind. Maybe they one up us with words on a constant river of snappy comebacks. Maybe they argue about the smallest things, or don't even act as if they love you.
But this verse challenges us to look at how we interact with ALL people, not just those we find outselves naturally clinging to. Should I love my family? Yep. Do I need to be humble with that coworker that just insulted me? Oh, yeah. Can I offer a patient ear to one suffering? Yes.
Instead of trying to analyze all the aspects of this verse at once, take away two aspects and apply them to every interaction today. Then, tomorrow layer on another one. Do this until you find yourself becoming more patient and kind to those around you. Will it take a LONG time? It should. Because none of us, myself included, will ever arrive at being the perfect patient person. But we should strive...with endurance.
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