In the next few days a lot will be
said about love. Millions of dollars will be spent in the name of love. Have
you ever wondered how God sees love?
In the love chapter of I Corinthians
13 the first attribute of love is patience. Why is that? God knew that any time
two individuals enter into a love relationship will need a lot of patience. It
is easy in the first few days, months and even years but the longer we are in a
love relationship the more faults we find in each other. Our job is not to find
flaws and try to change the other person but to exercise patience and allow the
person to become more Christ-like.
Just because we love our spouse,
child, friend or a co-worker does not mean that we will be free from conflict
and controversies. Instead of getting
impatient and frustrated with them, exercise patience. I don’t agree with all
his philosophy but Aristotle
the great philosopher said, “Patience is
bitter, but its fruit is sweet.” None of us like to exercise patience yet all of us want
others to be patient with us. This is human nature. However, for a long term
result, if you want others to be patient with you, you must plant the seeds of
patience yourself.
One
way you can have patience is never to say that you are impatient. Jesus said, “You
will have what you say.” You may be challenged in this area of patience but say
instead, “I am full of patience.” When you say what God says, He will back you
up to be what God wants you to be – full of patience.
I
encourage you to practice patience and the fruit you will eat will be sweet.
Start with small things. Don’t complain about the traffic. Don’t look restless standing
at the long line in the store. Don’t get irritable when your spouse is not just
ready yet and you have to leave - read a book, have a snack, watch some TV
instead! Don’t lecture the child for not finding his sock or her books. Show a
little restraint.
Love is patience!
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