Patient Love

1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient and kind.

The pressure seems to be rising, have you noticed. In society there’s more and more conflict and as individuals, many people just feel as though they’re under more and more pressure. And that’s a recipe for conflict.

Love is a great concept isn’t it? When we think of love, we think of romance, of happiness, of sheer bliss. All good things.

But for the most part, life isn’t like that. Every day, we rediscover that we live in a far from perfect world, populated by far from perfect people.

I notice it particularly when I’m travelling. So often people are so inconsiderate, sitting at the airport watching a video on their smartphone, without headphones so that it disturbs everyone else around them, including yours truly! Add to that our own tiredness and impatience, and it’s a powder keg ready to explode.

But there’s a single sentence in the Bible, just five words, that speaks so powerfully into all that.

1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient and kind.

Patience and kindness, the two go hand in hand, a bit like impatience and unkindness. Patience ain’t easy when you feel under pressure. Patience ain’t easy when other people are being inconsiderate and rude.

But imagine how different this world would be, if you and I just decided to love others through simple patience and kindness when they don’t deserve it. And this isn’t a theory lesson. I guarantee you that you’ll have at least one opportunity to put this into practice today.

I can be a grumpy old so-and-so when I want to be. But let me tell you, the deliberate decision to be patient and kind, brings a peace and a joy to life that is so precious.

Remember – love is patient and kind. Full stop. End of story.

That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

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