November 8, 2015

Patient Love

Written by Boyd Bailey

Patient Love 11.8

Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – November 8, 2015

Love is patient. I Corinthians 13:4

Love, by nature, is patient. This is why couples who are “in love” exhibit an inordinate amount of patience in the beginning. What is said, what is done or not done receives a pass embedded in the relationship. Lovers believe, “I will let you down. You will let me down. I will act immaturely. You will act immaturely. I will struggle with fear. You will struggle with fear. We both need patience, for love is patient.” If there is no evidence of patience in a relationship, then there is a love deficiency. Love expresses itself in patience. For example, you serve your children because you love them. They are sometimes silly and prone to foolishness, but you still love them. Because you love them, you are patient with them.

This may become more of a challenge when you relate this thinking to relationships outside of your family. A work associate or stranger, especially someone outside the faith, is harder to love. You barely know them. Therefore, how can you love them? Or, the most difficult to love is someone who has offended you. We tend to lose our patience with those who are offensive. So, here is an important distinction to make. You love someone, not because they necessarily deserve it, but because they are created in the image of God. Jesus loved them so much He died for them. You can disapprove of their behavior and still love them. Your willingness to tolerate delay may keep the relationship intact. This is love. This is patience. Your calmness and self-control may be the very thing needed to stabilize the situation. Wake up loving, go to bed loving, and love in between. This environment of love will nurture and produce patience—lots of it.

God understands this because He is love. Therefore, He is the epitome of patience. If anyone has the right to lose His patience, it is God. Every day He deals with billions of sinners, many of whom are demanding their way. Some are oblivious to God. Some are harsh and angry toward Him. But because of His great love for mankind, His longsuffering endures rejection and apathy. He feels compassion, not defiance, toward someone—lost in his or her sins—flailing away in criticism toward Christ. His love expands rather than contracts in the face of your failures. His capacity to love is greater than ours and his propensity for patience is also greater. But followers of Jesus have the Holy Spirit dwelling within them to love through them. The state of an unredeemed sinner is a limited love. The condition of a saved sinner is Christ’s capacity to love.

Thus, you have the potential for a higher degree of patience. Allow Christ to love through you, and watch your patience grow and expand. Do not fall into the trap of an angry rebuttal. People and situations tend to cool off tomorrow. You still confront, but in the right timing and in the right way. Invest in patience, and the pay off is exponential. Express patience, and everyone is in a better state of mind to discuss the facts. Love the unlovable. Love the undeserving. Love the impatient. Love keeps your motive pure. Love feeds a healthy perspective.

By your love you can be patient, because love is patient. Jesus patiently loved the unlovely. The Bible says, “Jesus looked at him and loved him…” (Mark 10:21a).

Post/Tweet this today: Wake up loving, go to bed loving, and love in between. #WisdomHunters #patientlove

Worship Resource: 4 minute video- Bethel: Don’t Worry

Today’s reading is from Boyd’s most popular book a 365 day devotional Seeking Daily the Heart of GodOrder now!

If you are blessed by these daily devotionals please prayerfully consider a donation to support Wisdom Hunters Resources. We are trusting the Lord for His provision. Learn how to help.

Our free Apple app     Our free Android app

© 2015 by Boyd Bailey. All rights reserved.


Comments

  1. Mary Burnett says:

    Wisdom Hunters Daily Devotions are so full of wisdom, and really helps our faith to grow. Awhile back you sent one with the topic GOD REIGNS and I had a computer problem, I am wondering if there is anyway that it could be sent again to the above address. Thank You so much for your time and caring.

  2. Gwynne says:

    Dear Mary,
    Thank you for your very kind words about the Wisdom Hunter’s devotionals. I will certainly look for “God Reigns” and email it to you. We are thankful for you and if there is ever anything else we can do for you, please let us know.
    As we approach the Thanksgiving season, the Wisdom Hunter’s team is so thankful for each member of the Wisdom Hunter’s family.
    Enjoy this special time of blessings.
    Grateful,
    Gwynne


Comments are closed.

Recent Posts