Waiting is a Mark of Love
We live life moving rapidly, with access to information and communication at any moment. This often leads to quick reactions and a short temper. We feel an urgent desire to experience love, achieve success, and gain security immediately. However, the Apostle Paul shows that a life guided by sincere love is a life of patience. In 1 Corinthians 13:4, he simply states, “love is patient.” Biblical love enables us to wait because it is rooted in reliance, trust, and complete faith in the Lord.
THE MEANING OF “LOVE IS PATIENT”
Patience in love means choosing to restrain oneself even when capable of reacting. The Apostle's term in 1 Corinthians 13 highlights long-suffering, being slow to anger, and endurance. A believer shows love’s patience through self-restraint and self-control rather than immediate retaliation or reactions. Such restraint demonstrates true strength, not weakness. Practicing patient love allows us to live with power under control.
PATIENT LOVE REFLECTS GOD’S CHARACTER
God exemplifies patient love, showing it to the Israelites throughout the Old Testament and continuing to do so with people today. He offers this love to sinners, desiring their reconciliation. In His love, God waits, pursues, and redeems rather than destroying immediately. Believers are encouraged to imitate this love because God has loved with great patience that is not deserved.
WHERE IS PATIENT LOVE TESTED
Reflect on the situations where patience in love is most challenged. Believers often encounter opposition when trying to practice patience in relationships, circumstances, and with others. In church life, marriages, parenting, and friendships, believers can face difficult times that tempt them to react rather than love with endurance and patience. During disappointments, delays, and unanswered prayers, believers may become restless and find it hard to maintain patience. Dealing with immature behavior, repeated failures, and differences can tempt us to respond or retaliate instead of remaining patient and loving. True patience in love is demonstrated not in easy moments, but in those that test our faithfulness and perseverance.
WHAT PATIENCE LOVE IS NOT
When biblical patience flows from genuine love, it operates alongside truth and grace. It does not ignore sin or shy away from truth. True patience isn’t silent when correction or guidance are needed, nor is it withdrawal or indifference. Instead, genuine patience involves the believer actively engaging with people, situations, and circumstances through truth and grace. It’s not about avoiding difficulties but maintaining a heart of active engagement.
LEARNING TO GROW IN A LOVE THAT IS PATIENT
Believers must intentionally work on cultivating patience in their hearts. This process begins with relying on the Holy Spirit's work and guidance. When believers depend on the Holy Spirit, they can gain the discernment and strength necessary to grow in patience. Additionally, believers should remember God’s patience with them, which serves as a constant reminder that God calls believers to be patient because He has been and continues to be patient with them. An intentional step to foster patience is the commitment to pause before responding. Many are advised to count to 3 or 5 before replying, allowing self-control to intervene. Part of the growth process involves asking the Lord daily to shape our hearts, actions, and reactions. Since patience is cultivated rather than instantly acquired, these essential truths must be intentionally practiced each day.
A love that mirrors Christ is patient, showing calmness, perseverance, and steadiness. Believers should honestly evaluate themselves to see if impatience affects their reflection of Christ and their witness. Remember, the same God who calls believers to love patiently is the one who gives them the strength to do so.
