Often times when we see the word Tolerance we tend to associate it with a negative connotation. If you tolerate something this usually means whatever is occurring to you may have caused you some pain or is challenging you in your character. So as a result many coping mechanisms are birthed from making the choice to simply tolerate it but your cup is filled with offense, unbelief, resentment, and the biggest culprit of it all frustration.
I have had my fair share of frustration back and forth for a little while now. But it was not until recently I realized that I actually have enough in me to overcome it completely without lacking in the acknowledgment of my emotions. Jesus as always is the best example yet of what this looks like. In the story of Lazarus death there were two prerequisites that happened before the big miracle. The first is that he heard of the news but his response was that its was not unto death but for the glory of God. Secondly, he heard about the death but he chose to stay in the same place for two more days before coming to where Martha and her sister Mary was. He said to his disciples that he was glad that he wasn’t there to fix anything so that they would believe. There was a bigger picture Jesus chose to keep at the forefront of his mind even in the hearing of the bad news.
He knew what it was unto and he knew who it was all for. Everything was centered around belief and for his Father to be seen through it shining bright in the light that he is. I also want to bring to your attention that even after Jesus arrived at the scene he comforted Martha and Mary and shortly after he wept and let his emotions out without shame. He had a moment of humanity in the midst of his divinity. God allowed him to experience this just so that we could see he knows and feels all of the aches and pains yet he knew deep down inside that non of it was in vain. Imagine if Jesus hadn’t of cried. Would we have felt safe enough to weep in our humanity? I love how strategic Jesus is because he knew that we would need to read and see that even in his tolerance he allowed himself to have a moment and release what needed to let go but kept resentment and frustration out of his heart. Almost immediately after he steps into action and begins to lead them to Lazarus grave for his on time resurrection. Jesus never lost his divinity. If anything after he let himself express his humanity it fueled his divinity to follow through in the assignment because from the very beginning he heard even in the bad news that it was not unto death but for the Glory of God. Who wouldn’t want to serve a God like that!! This empowered me to know I can endure tolerance because its producing patience and long suffering within me to really reap this victory in its entirety. But not even for myself but to witness the Glory of God through the situation. That there truly is an after this.
So I hope this encourages you today to remember your tolerance can be filled with gentleness, love, kindness and joy as long as you remember what it is all unto. Its not unto death friend, get ready for the resurrection in you and in it.
Until Next Time
Forever in Faith. Forever in Motion.