1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (CSB)
Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
This scripture tells us that love is both patient and kind. To be patient is to not become upset and angry when problems or delays arise. This is something that many of us, including myself, struggle with at times. We all like to have a life that keeps running smoothly without problems or delays, but the reality is that life does have its problems. By practising patience we learn to overcome feeling upset, angry, stressed and anxious. To be kind is to be helpful, compassionate and friendly towards others. When we are kind to others, then others are kind to us. If we show anger to others then usually anger is directed back to us. Patience and kindness lead to a more peaceful and joyful life, without all the stress and anger. Having a peaceful and joyful life is good for our body, mind and spirit. Stress, anger and anxiety is bad for our body, mind and spirit.
The scripture tells us what not to be; envious, boastful, arrogant, rude, self-seeking, irritable and unforgiving. All of these things we definitely do not want to be. It is very off-putting to be in the company of someone who is always boasting about something or other, someone who is full of arrogance and pride and is rude, someone who is always snapping at people, someone who holds grudges and will not forgive, someone who is only interested in themselves and someone who is always jealous of other people.
Someone who has love rejoices in the truth but finds no joy in unrighteousness. To have love and patience is to be kind to others, hope for the best for others, to be forgiving, to be encouraging, to be compassionate, to guide and support others, to have self-control, to be calm. No one is perfect and all of us need to try harder to gain more of these qualities for ourselves. As times become more challenging around the world, these good qualities will enable us to live a more peaceful, contented and joyful life.
Dear God,
Help us all to overcome the stress, anxiety and anger that is in the world right now. Show us the right path we need to be on, the path where we have kindness, patience and other good qualities. Help us to help others who are on the wrong path and to pray for them. Give us a life of peace, kindness and joyfulness. Get rid of any pride, arrogance and rudeness that is in us, and keep us humble and thankful always. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Onward Christian Soldiers 