My thorn has always been struggling with patience for slow people. I get frustrated when others don't "get it", regardless of what "it" may be. Something that has helped me immensely of late is Zietsman's IQ descriptions.

I had historically worked under the idea that those of lower IQs were not inherently limited in their capacities but merely took longer to get there from here. In other words, I mistakenly thought that a man with an IQ of 60 could eventually learn calculus, but that it would merely take him much longer than one with an IQ of 160. Having studied and modified these IQ descriptions, I've come to understand the limiting dimension is not one of time but of abstraction. I now think a more limited capacity for abstract thought can present itself as a delay in understanding (relative to those with higher IQs or greater capacity for abstract thought) but that delay is not the key factor.

The scale of abstract thought is a continuum. Some things are more abstract than others. Language itself is an abstract representation of thought, but it's well within the capacity of most people. Calculus, on the other hand, is far more abstract than mere language, and so not everybody will be capable of mastering it. Advanced theology and philosophical worldviews are still more abstract than calculus; this would imply fewer people are capable of grasping such concepts, let alone applying them to their own lives. A typical symptom of this is the average Christian whose lifestyle and values are only barely similar to that proscribed by the Word of God. For example, this is why Christian divorce [sic] is as common as secular divorce. [Aside: I wonder about the physiological nature of this abstraction limitation.]

I do see a potential flaw here, though. As soon as we propose that IQ limits one's ability to be obedient to God, we cross a line. This is not so. It would be more accurate to say the typically low use of our IQ potential limits our ability to obey. We are judged according to our ability. When we don't live up to that ability (and most don't), we fall short of what's expected of us. Were we to use all of our IQ potential, we would be capable of obedience (as we're individually judged). [Note: this assumes reliance upon God's help to reach this potential and act with it, but this is not the point at hand.]

Back to my thorn... In better defining the nature of IQ limitations (failure to live up to IQ potential notwithstanding), I find myself noticeably more tolerant. The process of applying God's Word to the nuances of their lives is often just too abstract for others. Discerning the principles of highway safety is too abstract. Understanding the nature of government is too abstract. Escaping the presented, superficial, artificial dualism in order to see the true nature of the debate (whatever the topic)...too abstract. Adjusting my expectations to be more consistent with reality always helps me feel better. No longer will I expect others to "get it", wrongly believing it would just take them longer to do so; rather, I'll understand that certain abstractions are simply beyond their capacity to grok. My next challenge--not that my impatience is defeated--will be dealing with the fatalism sure to ensue.