We’re looking at the secret of peace in our
relationships.
Romans 15:2 (LB), "We must bear the burden
of being considerate of the doubts and fears of
others."
Philippians 2:4 (Ph), "None of you should
think only of his own affairs, but consider other person's interests
also."
Notice "doubts",
"fears", "interests"
– these are the three things you need to empathize with if you value a
relationship. If you want to make peace
you need to empathize with these three things.
Whenever there is conflict in a relationship, it's
usually because you're not sympathizing, you're not being considerate of other
people's doubts when you "have no doubts about it", or other people's
fears when you're "not afraid of it", or other people's interests
when you "couldn't care less about it". But if you care, you will be aware. These are the three things that you have to
empathize with.
Other people's fears. You may not be afraid of it. You think that's irrational, but you still
should say, if they're afraid of it, I'm going to be interested in it. And their doubts and their interests.
Just a thought from the front porch…
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