WHAT ARE YOU CARRYING?

As Dolores was driving along a country road she noticed that a car was following her rather closely. She could almost feel the irritation of the driver as she drove cautiously and slowly.

Of course the driver of the other car had no way to know that Dolores was transporting 45 kilos of mashed potatoes, two large cooking pots full of gravy and many other food items for a church lunch—enough to feed 200 people! Sensing the other driver’s frustration Dolores thought, If he just realised what I’m carrying, he would understand why I’m driving like I am.
Just as quickly another thought occurred to her: How often am I impatient with people when I have no idea of the things they might be carrying?

How easily do we reject or gossip about people, assuming that we know all the facts about a situation? The Bible tells us to take a different approach, instructing us to treat each other with kindness, humility and patience (COLOSSIANS 3:12). How much more loving we are when we’re patient with each other and forgive each other (V.13).

Let’s treat others as we would like to be treated (LUKE 6:31), remembering that we don’t always know the problems they may be going through.

Thinking it over . . .

Next time someone messes up or does something strange, rather than laugh at them with your friends or gossip, why not ask them what they’re carrying, and if you can help.

IF YOU ARE TEMPTED TO LOSE PATIENCE WITH
SOMEONE, STOP AND THINK HOW PATIENT GOD
HAS BEEN WITH YOU.

YouTh Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries