Many years ago, I learned the importance of forgiveness. When others hurt me or someone I love, I need to forgive. This releases me so my hurt can heal. If I don’t let go, bitterness and anger festers in my heart. When I get upset by others who disagree with me, I am unforgiving.
Colossians 3:13 is, “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 2015
God wants me to tolerate others. To me, this is a heart issue of wanting people to agree with me. Some problems have more than one right answer and other issues have complex solutions. I need to accept other people (and their opinions) as they are.
“Accepting others” is similar to forgiveness, in that I need God’s help. I cannot tolerate others without the Lord. We all do not think alike, but we can all get along. Fighting with each other solves nothing. With God’s help, we can work together.