True Love Shows Patience

It’s easy to get angry.

It’s easy to yell, belittle someone, speak harshly, or react out of frustration. We can do those things in a split second without even thinking.

Think about how often you hear someone say, “I’m trying to be patient,” or “I’m trying to be nice.”

But you rarely hear someone say, “I’m trying to be angry.”

Why?

Because anger is easy.

Patience takes something more.

It takes love to control your words when you’re frustrated. It takes strength to speak softly when you want to yell. It takes grace to forgive when you feel wronged. And it takes mercy to respond with kindness when you believe someone deserves something different.

Scripture tells us:

“Love is patient, love is kind.” — 1 Corinthians 13:4

There’s a reason patience comes first.

When I think about the love of our Heavenly Father, I’m reminded of how freely He gives us His grace, mercy, and love. God doesn’t love us because we earned it or because we deserve it. He loves because He is love.

“The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.” — Psalm 103:8

So the next time you become angry with someone you love, consider how easy it would be to simply react.

Then ask yourself:

What would love look like right now?

Maybe love means lowering your voice.

Maybe love means listening instead of interrupting.

Maybe love means being patient.

Maybe love means extending grace.

Maybe love means showing mercy even when you believe you have every right to be angry.

Because the people we love don’t need more of our anger.

They need more of our grace.

Lord knows we all need grace—and none of us could ever earn the grace He has given us.

Show true love to the people God has placed in your life today.

Choose patience. Choose grace. Choose mercy. Choose love.

— Rev. Carlos Figueroa
TheFreeBible.org