Every one of us has done things which, after the fact, we realize that thing that we did was not the smartest thing in the world. As a teenager, I worked a very physical job and took risks with my body. I was young and with that mindset of knowing it all and invincibility that most teenagers have, I threw my body around. In one case, I can home with a black and blue (mostly black) bruise on my back that was literally 18 inches wide and 18 inches tall. We measured. Now, at 63 years old, I have aches and pains from those years that are constant. I am paying the price for my folly.
The challenge we face is this. Often, our folly is not from our youth. It is in our present day life. We do things that are senseless. A man I know got so caught up in his job that he missed his wife’s birthday. It’s folly. Someone goes to the store with a list that should cost about $50, but impulse buys nearly triple that, and then wonders why there is more month than money. It’s folly. We spend so much time on video games and other entertainment and then kick ourselves because the work did not get done. It’s folly. None of these are dramatic illustrations of huge sin, but they should be enough to make us aware of our folly and be thankful that God gives us those who will bear with us in our folly.
2 Corinthians 11:1 “Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.” Would to God that you understand your own folly – that you have acted senselessly – that you have been reckless, and that there were those who would bear with you in your folly. Put the show on the other foot. Why do you get your nose so out of joint when someone you know gets wrapped up in folly? Rather than having a destructive spirit, and commenting on what you see as their stupidity, bear with them. Offer them a hand up. Choose to be helpful. Decide to be a blessing. Love them enough to look past the lack of sense. Remind them of the Saviour who will secure them despite their recklessness.
At some point, someone chose to bear with you in your folly. Choose to bear with others who, just like you, get caught up in their own folly. Respond with grace when they seek your help, saying, “bear with me in my folly.”