Counsel #14 — Sharing Space

Picture: Counsel #14 — Sharing SpaceCWe 166.1

We’ve talked a lot about where we live—let’s talk now about how we live with one another.CWe 166.2

Life together throws all sorts of situations at us, and it takes self-control, patience, and understanding to navigate them. We're all wired differently—upbringing, habits, education, culture, environment—it all shapes our perspectives. We have different political views, worldviews, and some of our ideas of truth and how to live for God can vary, even among Christians. No two people have the exact same experiences. What one person finds challenging; another might breeze through. We're human—flawed and prone to misunderstandings. So, it's important to be careful when judging others. We rarely grasp the full impact of our actions on someone else. A seemingly unimportant comment or action from us could have a major positive or negative effect on a person’s life.^{[176]https://record.adventistchurch.com/2023/07/26/10-tips-on-how-to-get-along-with-people-from-1960/}CWe 166.3

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.” Galatians 5:22 NKJVCWe 166.4

“We should not allow our feelings to be easily wounded. We are to live, not to guard our feelings or our reputation, but to save souls. As we become interested in the salvation of souls we cease to mind the little differences that so often arise in our association with one another.” Ellen White in The Ministry of Healing, p. 485CWe 166.5

Reflect: How can you cultivate greater understanding, patience, and empathy towards those you share space with?CWe 166.6