At the end of each month, we are encouraged to take a few hours of reflection. In this time we ask the Lord to show us what we have done well in the month, what we could have done better/areas to improve or grow moving forward, and what He wants us to focus on in the month to come. He told me I have done well focusing on the mission/ministry, by caring for people and their stories, and showing them love in that way. But I realized I have been resistant to community due to fleshly frustrations and our tight living quarters. It is evident I feel this way because I am not comfortable. But God uses tough seasons to grow us the most, or test our faith (James 1:2-3) so I asked what more I need to do.
He said, “Love.”
So I went to the well known “love” verses. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 says,
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
I’ve read these verses more times than I can count and it still wasn’t sinking in. I knew I had to dig deeper. At first, I couldn’t find a study on this scripture in my Bible App – thank goodness for Google! I found a website that broke down this scripture into the “15 Characteristics of Love”. A lot of this was very convicting, realizing I have been walking in a lot of actions that do NOT reflect love.
Here’s what it says:
1. Love is Patient – we should be slow to anger, endure wrongs without retaliating, and give room for others mistakes without coming down hard or harsh in them. How do you respond in situations that test your patience?
2. Love is Kind – this displays patience in action, we seek and meet others’ needs without the demand or expectation of repayment. We are tender and forgiving; gentle and soothing to the hurting; calming and help quietly.
3. Love is Not Jealous – we are not greedy or selfish, or do things to bring attention to ourselves.
4. and 5. Love does Not Brag and is Not Arrogant – we do not strive to make others jealous. Bragging is an outward expression of pride (Proverbs 16:18). Love does not strive to build up oneself but instead to builds up others. We display humble thankfulness for all that God has given us.
6. Love is Not Rude – we seek not to offend others and have good manners such as being courteous, polite, and sensitive.
7. Love does Not Seek Own – this means not being demanding, not seeking to “get your way”, or doing for your own glory.
8. Love is Not Provoked or Irritated – we aren’t touchy, easily triggered, or offended. We do not come off intimidating.
9. Love does Not Account Wrongs Suffered – do you keep tallies of others wrongs or hold on to un-forgiveness?
10. and 11. Love Rejoices in Truth or does Not Rejoice in Unrighteousness – we rejoice or are glad when we see behavior line up with God’s word. Love will sensitively confront and correct precisely because it cares deeply and knows sin destroys (Ephesians 4:26-27). We rejoice in spiritual victories and growth. (WORLD RACERS – this was HUGE in reflecting on my heart behind giving feedback.)
12. Love Bears All Things – I was so thankful for clarification on this! Another great way to say this is “protect by covering”. This means: do not gossip, do not use jokes or sarcasm, do not lie and exaggerate another person’s weakness OR do not deliberately expose them = protect.
13. Love Believes All Things – give someone trust, do not make them “earn it”. Do not be suspicious, having doubt in someones character or motives – even if actions in a moment offend you. Do not jump to blame or grill for every detail. If you GIVE trust, THEN they will live up to that expectation.
14. Love Hopes All Things – we are not pessimistic. We can instead expect successes and rest on the promises of God! …He is working all things together for the GOOD of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
15. Love Endures All Things – we stand firm on the foundation we’ve established to sustain assault of the enemy. We persevere in difficulties, hang in, we are NOT passive but instead positive and triumphant in spirit.
I am thankful we have a very graceful Father and I have the opportunity to practice walking out these actions every day. This is A LOT – so I greatly appreciate your prayers to not lose sight of ways to walk in this daily. I also hope this can be a light to those around me, or anyone reading.
Here’s a great song about God’s love:
Elohim – Hillsong Worship
And check out this website to see where I got my info:
https://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-5-what-love-looks-1-corinthians-134-7
