I'm going to tell you about a weak area in myself. I'm sensitive about my disability. Not much upsets me more than to have someone tell me I'm not trying hard enough, I'm faking my limitations, or that I'm using it to get attention or to get my way. My anger and hurt flashes immediately when I hear those accusations.

There was a time when I avoided all members of my church because it seemed like they were the hardest on me about my disability. I didn't go to church or to any businesses where I would run into a lot of the church members. The worst thing I did was complain about the people and what they said to me. What I should have done was pause for a bit, catch my breath, calm down, and then stay with these people instead of run away. By staying with them I would have had a better chance to educate them. Running away only confirmed that I was a quitter.

Love doesn't run away or give up when things get difficult. It hangs in there and with God's help it gently teaches what is right. Love is more concerned about the other person. It will try to understand why they act the way they do and if possible, try to help the person. Love will even endure a lot to help someone find their way to God.

The best example of this is Christ. He put up with the arguing of His disciples, and with crowds of people constantly wanting to be with Him. That was long-suffering, not enduring. But when He was arrested, beaten, made fun of, and then crucified, that was His love enduring all. He endured it all so we could be saved. There was no other way to save us. Someone had to pay the price. Someone had to die. Christ endured all of it for us because of His great love for us.

I'm not suggesting that we let people physically beat us up, but we can endure the unkind words and thoughtlessness of others so that we can help them find their Savior. We don't run to someone else and tell them of the unkind actions or words, and try to get them on our side against the other person. We also don't put on long faces or sigh loudly, hoping someone will see our suffering. We endure quietly. The minute we open our mouths and complain about the other person, we lose all chances of helping them.

People are unkind because they either don't understand or because they're hurting in some way. Remembering that will help take the sting out of their words and actions and we will then be able to find ways to educate or help relieve their suffering.

Love takes the focus off ourselves and puts it on Jesus.