Love is Patient

I have been meeting with the ladies in my small group on a somewhat regular basis talking about our struggles in our marriages, what is good in our marriages, and how we can bless the man that God has placed in our lives. At our last meeting we started talking about I Corinthians 13:4-7 and about what love is and what love isn’t. We decided to challenge ourselves to try and really see what the Word has to say about each aspect that is mentioned in this section of scripture and also to challenge ourselves to really live out these aspects of love in our marriages and personal life.

So the first thing that is mentioned is that “Love is patient.” I took some time to look up this portion of the verse in several translations and most just say “love is patient.” So I also looked up the Webster’s dictionary definition is of patient. Being patient means bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint, manifesting forbearance under provocation or strain, not hasty or impetuous, steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity. I also decided to break down this definition some more. I looked up what it means to manifest forbearance. Manifesting forbearance means to show self-control. Wow what a statement. We are to show self-control when we feel we are being provoked, which means when something is said it arouses a feeling that can come out in anger and distaste.

I fail at this, not only in my marriage but also with my children. Patience is something that I lack a great deal of in my life. This is when I evaluate how can my children learn about who Jesus is when I’m not actively showing the fruits of the Spirit. God is smacking me around right now with all of these things running through my mind. I am trying to bring it all together but it really is one big thing that God is working on in my life. If I am not choosing to be careful with the way I speak to my husband or children this is showing a lack of patience which is what love is and it is also one of the fruits of the spirit. Something that was said last night at the ladies meeting through my friend was a verse that talks about how our words can be life or death to someone. I found a verse in Proverbs 18:21. The NLT says The tongue can bring life or death, those who love to talk will reap the consequences, the amplified version says that Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life,] and The Message says that Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit—you choose. Can I say conviction, conviction, conviction!

How do I live this out? How do I come to a place where I am so conscious of the words I choose that it only brings life to others? If we as the people of God really took this to heart we wouldn’t be in this place of where we wonder how others are going to see the fruits of the spirit or how we are impacting the lives of our children everyday. We wouldn’t be in a place of hurting people because of something we said. This is where patience is a vital part of our lives and how we live.

As I close today I am going to leave you with some other scriptures on patience.

Romans 2:4 Don't you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can't you see that His kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

Romans 12:9-12 And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Don't just

pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is

good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other

Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble and keep on praying.

Eph. 4:1-2 Therefore, I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowances for each other’s faults because of your love.

II Thes. 3:5 May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.

II Tim 2:24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.

James 5:7-8 Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.

I Pet 1:5-7 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, ⁶ and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, ⁷ and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.

Rev 2:19 “I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things.