"You mean I have to put up with all this from that person!?" There are those folks in life about whom the saying is true: "They are the grit out of which we are to fashion our pearls." Our great example in this challenge — "To be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." — is Jesus. Jesus has fashioned many pearls from pretty bad grit. Think of what he had to put up with in his 12 disciples. Remember how the LORD's patience and kindness helped transform them. His love persevered through so many of their failures, especially failures in his hardest and darkest moments. In the process, however, Jesus' life of humbleness, gentleness, patience, and love transformed them. Can we dare to do less with those for whom Christ died?

Please give me strength and patience, O God. I know the Holy Spirit can and will, so I ask for this help because I long to be as loving, gentle, and patient with others as Jesus was with people during his earthly ministry, and you have been with me. So, I pray this in the mighty name of Jesus, my LORD and hero, to become more JESUShaped and live like him. Amen.