Essence: Bearing With One Another (Ephesians 4:2)

a discussion series from the pages of -
Authentic Relationships: Discover the lost art of “one anothering”
by Wayne and Clay Jacobsen
ISBN 978-0-8010-6451-7

Lesson Focus: Bearing With One Another
(A Soft Place to Fall - chapter 3 pg. 43)

with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, (Ephesians 4:2 ESV)

Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. (Ephesians 4:2 NLT)

What is it like to sit across the coffee shop table from someone who is going through extremely painful circumstances and be at a complete loss as to how to help them?

It is a worthless feeling not knowing how to fix the problem.

Is your solution to the problem what is needed most in that scenario?

“Over the years the most helpful thing I have said to people in pain is simply this; ‘I want you to know, no matter how bad this gets, I will be there for you.’” (pg. 43)

Here is a favorite example from Scripture. [Read 1 Samuel 14:1-23]

“Do what you think is best,” the armor bearer replied. “I’m with you completely, whatever you decide.” (1 Samuel 14:7 NLT)

Wrap Up:  Our lives are rarely defined by actions and attitudes that are exhibited when life is going well. In our humanness we tend to label people during their greatest moments of pain. “She is a divorcee,” or “he is a workaholic who lost his family to neglect.” What if we looked at one another with mercy and grace? “She is hurting and I will bear the burden with her for as long as it takes.” Our Father has done this for us.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;  as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:11-12 ESV)