1Co 13:4 ¶ Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.

Love endures long and is patient and kind.

That is a mouthful and a life long pursuit all in one small phrase. The first part of this phrase is the ability to endure long, other translations I think say it the way it feels for me; suffers long.  I really mean that. There are times it is just miserable on my flesh when I have to endure the behavior, or conversation, or eating manners, or singing style of other Christians whom I have come to love and respect.  It is not that I don’t love them, but the sad reality is I love myself more than I love them. I am more concerned, or should I say, more impressed with my behavior, conversation, eating manners, and singing style than other people. Isn’t that just pathetic, to think so highly of myself that I would get irritated at the ways’ of others. I am not talking about being irritated because of sin but over petty little things that I personally dislike or think I could do better.

Convicted yet? I am, so why don’t you pray this prayer with me?

Heavenly Father, please forgive me for my selfish attitude. When I get so irritated at others because I love myself more than I love them. Please, give me the grace to have the kind of love that will endure long with other people; In Jesus name, Amen.

I love this phrase because it doesn’t just say, have patience and endure long,  it adds the attitude that we are to have as we suffer long, and be kind. That word is so hard for me to  wrap my head around that I had to look it up. Here is what I found that it means; 1. sympathetic, friendly, gentle, tender-hearted, generous, etc.; 2. cordial (not incorrigible; hah  :). Wow! That again strikes me to the core of my heart, because I have had to struggle to be tender-hearted and sympathetic with others all the time. Note, when you endure long or suffer long, your not just to sit therewith with this type of attitude,( like “How long do I have to put up with this???”). But the God kind of love sits there with a very friendly, tender-hearted and sympathetic attitude and expression. Yes! Even our expression can speak louder than our intention. If we don’t let kindness flow from our own hearts to our face then others may not see our real intention. Love is so hard to get a handle on because it is so beyond our own ability to understand, and that is why we need to rely on His grace.

Thank God for His grace that empowers us to be able to do all things through Christ Jesus. Hallelujah!!

Have a Great day!!!