Tolerance vs. Patience and Empathy.

I think “tolerance” is a much-abused word when applied to the church. A true church would not be tolerant as much as patient and empathetic. Patient because we know from experience that maturity in faith is a long process, much like a slog through an endless muddy field with a full backpack. And empathetic for the same reason—we are all more alike than we think. Everyone struggles. Everyone fails. Tolerance implies a turning of the head and a wink, as if to excuse mere human nature. That’s the point God is always trying to make—it IS mere human nature, but as His child you are no mere human. -- W. S. 

Illustration: "Empathy" by Lora Shelley