Love is patient. 1 Corinthians 13:4
Love is patient... when it’s convenient? No, I’m afraid not. Love is patient with people... who treat us well? Try again. Love is patient...for a little while? Not quite. Love is patient. Period. Girls, let’s dig in and learn what this means.
Sweet girls, is it hard for you to be patient? We live in an instant gratification culture. Does that give us an excuse to not be patient? No dear girls, it doesn’t. Because remember, we belong to another kingdom. The Bible tells us to not think and act like the world acts but instead to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. Did you hear that? We have to think and act differently. We have to refuse to buy into the lies that we can act in any way that we want to. We must go to the Bible to show us how we are to think and act. We invite the Holy Spirit to renew our minds, literally the way we think.
“I give you a new command that you love one another. As I have loved you, you should also love one another.” (John 13:34)
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)
So how do we do this? We cry out to God for help, and ask Him, “Lord, make me a patient person just the way You are so incredibly patient with me.” And then girls, we submit to His will and His way. We trust Him in the process.
Is this hard? You bet, but the Lord will transform you into a more patient person as you ask Him to and submit to His process. The process will probably look much different than you think it will. First, you might have to see how impatient you are and cry out to Him to help you become a more patient person.
Oh but girls, He will do it, slowly over time. Just be patient with the process because remember His ways are not your ways, and He is patient with you. This is who He is. He is our patient Heavenly Father. This is His heart for all humanity.
“For as high as the heavens are higher than the Earth. So are my ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9)
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
(2 Peter 3:9)
And girls, if this same love is in us, we will be able to love those who are hard to love even when we don’t feel like it. Remember girls, that our God is faithful, and He is committed to complete the work He started in you. Rest in that, dear ones, and find such assurance that He will see the work in you through to completion.
“If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind to only your friends, how are you different from anyone else?” (Matthew 5:47)
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” (Philippians 1:6)
I hope you find as much hope and encouragement in this promise as I do! He will do the work in you, dear girls, as you submit to His process.
Questions and Reflection
Is there a person or situation that is hard for you to be patient with?
Have you asked the Lord to help you be patient with this person or in this situation? If not, I would encourage you to. Ask Him in faith without doubting and He will make you more patient over time.
Pray for the person or about the situation that it’s hard for you to be patient in. Ask the Lord to help you be patient with them and love them like He loves them.
Memory Challenge:
Love is patient. (1 Corinthians 13:4)