“One phrase that you should insert into your vocabulary and conversation on a daily basis: ‘He (or she) didn’t mean it.’ “- Judah Smith
“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”- 1 Corinthians 13:7
As Pastor Judah Smith continues Chapter 5 of How’s Your Soul?, he cites the Apostle Paul. In 1 Corinthians 13:7, Paul writes that all the time and in every situation, love does four things. Love bears, believes, hopes, and endures. Today Judah examines the first two characteristics of love.
1. Love bears all things. The term translated bear relates to the Greek word for roof. Literally, the term means “put a roof on.” Figuratively, it conveys the idea of keeping something confidential. Another interpretation means “to put up with something.”
On a practical level, this means we don’t use people’s faults and failures to openly humiliate them. Judah continues: “We publically cover them and privately restore them with the goal of bringing about health in their lives.”
As a result, we become a safe place for hurting people as we provide unconditional love and support. In addition, love establishes us as a solid roof.
2. Love believes all things. Even in the worst of situations, love looks for the best. In contrast, Judah believes the desire to defend, justify, and protect ourselves comes from a lack of God-awareness. Hence, is God God or not? Do we really trust Him to take care of us or not?
Therefore, we’re left with two options: (a) choose to let God be God or (b) take it upon ourselves to right every wrong and defend every injustice committed against us.
Consequently, Choice B means spending life in a holding pattern, imprisoned by bitterness. In conclusion, Pastor Smith explains Choice A:
“You know they meant it, but you are choosing to believe the best, to believe they regret it now, to believe that’s not what they wanted for their lives, to believe they did it in ignorance or haste or pain, but they are really not that kind of people.”
Today’s question: How could you apply “He (or she) didn’t mean it” to your downsizing or vocation loss? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: Love knows no limits”
