Toleranță

The operational definition of tolerance is “acceptance of others as unique expressions of specific character qualities in varying degrees of maturity.” Tolerance is extending grace to those who lack wisdom or maturity, realizing everyone is at different stages of personal growth. Sometimes you may be irritated by someone’s childishness, mistakes, or lack of experience. How can a person overcome his irritation? A believer can ask God to show him how God sees people. (See Romans 5:8.) When believers value people, they are able to understand, forbear, or be patient with others. God can help a believer to recognize that he also has faults, mannerisms, or characteristics that require grace from others. Understanding his own faults can give him insight to accept others where they are in their lives. God gives grace to the humble! As one walks in the Spirit, he will manifest the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love and longsuffering. (See Galatians 5:22–25.)

The opposite of tolerance is prejudice. A prejudiced person has a false sense of superiority and judges others from that position. He categorizes people and dislikes certain ones for superficial reasons. He disdains those who are different from himself. Even before he knows a person well, he makes assumptions and forms opinions. Viewing others with a critical eye, he mocks or excludes those whom he dislikes. Prejudging people is just one aspect of intolerance. An intolerant person lacks the humility and maturity to appreciate and respect others. He considers character flaws to be unchanging traits that define the offender, and he assumes there is no hope for improvement. Thus, the intolerant person has no reason to give others opportunity or time to change. He simply ignores or avoids those who make him uncomfort­able. His uncaring actions are hurtful, and his preconceived ideas cut off relationships that might have benefited himself and others.