We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In life, we can learn through experience, and we can also learn through instruction. The best way to learn … is both combined. Great instruction plus implementation of improved methods and ways — results in major gains and overall excellence. A classic example is physical fitness. When we train our bodies for action over and over again, the action we train for becomes muscle memory and almost instinctive. And having a great workout coach helps us to push harder, but also rotate the work on our muscles for ultimate gains. When we stop working out, our muscles atrophy and must be trained again. At work, if we train our minds to make sales calls every day, we become better and better at it. If we listen in on the calls of a sales pro, who has high close rates, we pick up tips on how to listen to potential clients better and more fully meet their needs. If we stop calling on prospects for a while, our “call strategy” becomes rusty.

And in our spiritual life, if we prepare and train to love selflessly, helping carry the burdens and insults of others, we will get better and better, almost instinctive, at being like Jesus. If we walk with spiritual mentors in life, they can input truth and experiential knowledge to add to our discipline and make us more effective in working for God’s Kingdom. His Spirit will move through us in power and shift our thinking to His truth and His righteousness.

Lord, thank you for the encouragement here to serve others and be a blessing. To carry their insults and persecutions with them. It is what you did. Thank you for the spiritual mentors you have provided for me. I appreciate them so much! You can give me the power to do SO MUCH MORE than I think I am capable of, in the business of loving and carrying others burdens. This is because I am YOKED TO YOU!