I have been thinking a lot about how quickly we give up on those we love. We think that discomfort means that he or she is not the one or not worth our time. In family it is even worse sometimes. We think that if someone doesn't do things how or when we did them (as it relates to coming to Christ) then there is something wrong with them. PRIDE!! I identify with Paul's charge to Timothy (2 Tim 4). Preaching the Gospel whether it's popular or not. I must REBUKE, CORRECT, and ENCOURAGE with LONGSUFFERING [adj. Patiently enduring wrongs or difficulties]. I know it's not popular, but this is that time when people go for what their itching ears want to hear. I stand on the side of TRUTH!
Try to examine your actions to see if they line up with the WORD. This is very important. Before you go and analyze what you see people doing, check to see how it lines up with HIS word. I truly believe in LOVING the HELL out of people. It may seem that unhealthy or unpopular, but LONGSUFFERING is NOT popular! It's NOT about me or my comfort. I choose to patiently endure because that is the model that CHRIST gave me! It wasn't popular to save a "WRETCH" like me, but He waited (waits) patiently with LOVE and REBUKE. I am not going to sit around and watch those I LOVE die. I want to make sure that I proclaim the GOSPEL...So if you are waiting on me to tell you what you want to hear and drop the niceties of God on you all the time, don't hold your breath. I want the end result to be that YOU come to Christ and/or see who YOU are in CHRIST because without HIM, we are nothing! So what if it makes you or me uncomfortable; I LOVE YOU. I will endure with you through the good and bad. Love endures all things! 1 Corinthians 13:7
