Love is Patient and Kind
A devotional by Essie Faye
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.”
—1 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV)
A few years ago, I read a beautiful message about patience. It resonated with me because at that time, I was in dire need of it.
It was a time when I was focused on building my career and in a hurry to live life to the fullest. I was rushing to accomplish so many goals. I sped through college, earned a master’s degree then became one of the top performers in my career field. I ran hard after God, hoping to climb the ministry ladder and sprint to my destiny. I was well-accomplished, but it seemed that I wasn’t advancing toward my goals quickly enough. I was impatient to see what the future would hold. Impatience was evidence of my spiritual immaturity. Life teaches us in time. Even King Solomon said that there is a season for everything in life (Ecclesiastes 3:1). In essence, you can’t hurry life. Each of us lives moment by moment.
In today’s text, the Apostle Paul teaches us about true love. He teaches about three characteristics that distinguish true love from imposters. Paul had experienced this true love of God despite his past as a murderer and persecutor of Jesus Christ’s church. He was transformed by God’s love, adopted into His royal family, and trusted to establish countless ministries, pastor them, and lead God’s church. He was trusted by God with servant leadership. It is from this vantage point that Paul instructs the church about the profound characteristics of love.
The Bible says love is patient, meaning love suffers long. To explain it more thoroughly, love is not easily provoked nor does love quit without a fight. When you love someone, you are willing to endure some things in order to maintain your relationship with them. Love causes you to overlook faults and shortcomings because you value the presence of that person. Love is willing to endure challenges, disagreements and differences in order to preserve the relationship. Love is willing to forgive and even forget when offended or wronged. Love waits willingly for a person to grow to maturity and understanding. Love chooses to overlook ignorance and look for teachable moments. Love is not only a feeling, but it is a decision to cover the faults of another patiently.
Love is kind. When you love someone, you have his or her best interest at heart. Love is considerate of the feelings and situations of others. When true love is present, you handle your loved one gently and with care. Love does good to others. Love never intentionally causes harm.
Love is clothed with humility. Love is not prideful. True love is willing to admit fault and correct that fault. True love leads with valuing the presence and contribution of others. Love is realizing that you are no better than anyone else while accepting others. Love humbles itself to preserve and even fight for love. Humility is being willing to do whatever it takes to guard and maintain love.
Each of these characteristics are seen in the face of Jesus Christ. He was patient with humankind. He came to His own and they didn’t receive Him. Humans who He created who lived in the world that He created, rejected Him. Yet, God didn’t destroy them. Instead, He practiced patience with them in love. He came to save humanity despite the fact that they were His enemies. Christ was kind. He came to do good things and destroy the works of the devil. His purpose was to liberate humankind and to bring salvation to us. Christ came in humility. He took off His robe of royalty, left the glories of Heaven, wrapped Himself in flesh, and died to redeem humanity (John 3:16-17).
Jesus learned obedience by the things He suffered. He did it all for love. Because of His Love for us, we have hope and the promise of eternal life if we obey Him.
Call to Action:
1. Practice patience.
2. Be kind.
3. Daily walk in humility.
4. Identify with Christ through spiritual disciplines such as corporate worship, prayer, fasting, bible study, solitude, and engagement within your faith community.
5. Remember: God loves us patiently. He is kind to us, and He is clothed with humility. He requires that we walk daily with Him and love others.
Let’s Pray:
Heavenly Father, Thank You for your love that is patient, kind and humble. You are our perfect example. Help us to embrace others with the same agape love as you have shown us. Help us to exemplify Your unfailing love in a world that sometimes lacks love and hope. Strengthen us to be your hands and feet in a dark world. Show us how to shine the light of Jesus Christ through Your message of love in the world. You are the definition of true love. Help us to experience a more profound level of Your great love and know You in a greater way. Thank You, Lord, for hearing and answering us. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
Song of Reflection: “Love of God” by Brandon Lake and Phil Wickham. Listen to it here.
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Author Bio:
Essie Faye is a woman of faith.
She’s a bilingual author, educator, speaker, psalmist, and interpreter.
Essie is the author of the “Finding the Love You Deserve” series for women and teens. She is deeply committed to motivating minorities, women, and youth to heal themselves, love and accept themselves, and pursue God while chasing their dreams and carving out their life’s path.
Essie is a Chicago native.
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Connect with Essie:
Website: www.essiefaye.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_essie_faye/
Read Essie’s YouVersion Devotion Plan here:
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