Discover The Word

“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

IDEA: To be patient in love, the Christian must be reflective: we need to think in order to love.

I. Are you aware of how desperately you appreciate others who make allowances for you?

Can you think of people who were impatient with you when you needed patience?

Can you think of people who were patient with you who had reason to be impatient?

II. Reflect on how the other person feels or thinks.

The Anglican Prayer Book gives us ways to contemplate God’s patience with us.

III. We serve a Lord who is patient with our foibles, failures, and sin.

His patience is extended to those who fear Him and to those who do not fear Him.

“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust” (Psalm 103:8-14).