Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1 Corinthians 13:4 – 7)
I have been thinking a lot about love lately. About those I love and those I used to love and those I cannot even fathom loving. (Lord, please help me learn to love those whom I struggle with loving…)
I am not a biblical scholar but I think about this verse and also my post on Grace a year and a half ago. In that post I talk about Psalm 86, verse 15 – how the very definition of God is an adjective. “What it says is: “God – merciful. God – gracious. God – slow to anger. God – abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” ”
I wonder if the same is true in these verses. Paul is laying out what love is. I don’t know about you, but I have struggled with each one of these.
Patient: I am not a patient woman. I try but I have moments where patience is far from my abilities. Lord, help me be more patient with everyone.
Kind: I think I’m kind, mostly. But there are times when I am not. Heck, I hurt two people’s feelings just this past week because I said something that I thought was funny. It was to many but it wasn’t to them. So no, I’m not always kind. Lord, please help me remember to think before I speak and make sure what I am saying or doing is kind.
Does not envy: Oh my goodness. I fail on so many levels here. I envy those of my friends on social media who post their happy pics of their families. It looks so easy to all of them. I envy my friends who have more money than me, which is beyond silly because I make enough to pay my bills, eat well, and keep a roof over my head. Lord, help me focus on my blessings. Please help me to see the wonderful things you have given to me. Please help me stop comparing my life to others and accept that you have given me all I need.
Does not boast: Ermmmmmmm Gosh, I’m a diva. I’m a lot better but there are times that I like to talk about how awesome I believe I am. Especially in situations where I feel I have to prove myself. Lord, please help me allow my deeds to show the kind of person I am. Help me stop trying to impress others with my words and instead let my actions reflect my character – which should always reflect the love you have for all.
Is not proud: I’ve talked a lot about my pride. I am one heck of a proud woman. I’m doing my best to be humble – trust me when I say I’m not close to it. I am more aware of when my pride gets in the way (yay, progress), but still struggle with it. Quite a lot, actually. Lord, I am so grateful for the work you’ve done to help me with my pride. Help me find the strength to be more open and let go of my pride. My pride gets in the way of connecting to you fully. And it hurts every relationship I’m in. Thank you for the reminder that I shouldn’t stop working on this big issue in myself.
Not easily angered: If you know me at all, you will know that I am not even close to mastering this aspect of love. I get so angry sometimes! Especially while driving! I think patience is slightly different – I can get frustrated, sure. This is focused on anger. In one of the books I’ve read, (Andy Stanley’s Enemies of the Heart) he talks about anger being directly related to pride. Oh man, now we’re back to pride…. Lord, please help me understand and work through my anger issues so I can put it aside. I know that it poisons me and others.
Keeps no record of wrong: If you asked me today, I could lay out who wronged me, how they wronged me, and if they owe me money. I hold it close to my heart and really struggle with letting it go. Lord, help me forgive those I feel have wronged me. I know that holding onto that pain doesn’t help me at all and in fact it slows my healing.
Does not delight in evil, rejoices in truth: I don’t think this is something I really struggle with. But I’m not perfect, which means I could be blind to this issue in myself. Lord, please open my eyes so I can see times in my life that I delight in evil and help me change my ways.
Always protects: Always, Lord? Always always? I know I don’t do this. I try my best to protect others but I don’t always succeed. Lord, please help me remember to always be a shield of the weak – and to remember that protection applies to everyone – not just those I love.
Always trusts: I have a hard time trusting people. (There’s that pesky pride again). This is a big issue for me and many others. I’ve been hurt. I’ve been used. I’ve lost my ability to trust those I love fully. Lord, please help me to understand what this means and how it applies to my life. Help me trust those I love fully. Help me heal from past hurts so I can do that to the best of my ability.
Always hopes: I’m a rather optimistic and hopeful person. But I know I can do more in that regard though. Lord, help me remember to not let cynicism bog me down. You are my hope. You are my life. Help me focus on that every day.
Always perseveres: There have been a multitude of times that I have given up in the face of adversity. I’ve listened to that ugly voice that tells me I can’t succeed. Lord, please help me remember to keep going, to keep pushing, to keep moving forward, and to not give up.
Amen.