“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.“
— 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 KJV
Reflection on Today's Verse
Paul really set the bar high here. I mean, love or charity is patient and kind? That’s like asking me to be calm when someone cuts me off in traffic and then smile about it! Patience is hard enough on its own, but to mix it with kindness? I don’t know about you, but some days it feels like a superpower. Yet, that’s the very essence of real love. It’s not just about gritting your teeth and enduring—love actively does good, even when you’re on your last nerve.
And what about the “not easily angered” part? Oof. I can almost feel my brain ticking off those small annoyances from yesterday, like someone leaving dishes in the sink or not texting back in time. But Paul says love doesn’t hold grudges—it’s basically anti-petty. It doesn’t carry that invisible scoreboard where you’re like, “Well, you didn’t do the laundry, so I’m not making dinner.” Instead, love hits the reset button every day.
But here’s where it gets really interesting: love doesn’t boast, and it’s not proud. You ever meet someone who’s constantly telling you how great they are? Not cute. Real love just shows up quietly, doing the good stuff without needing a parade. It’s humble. It’s like when you take out the trash, and nobody notices—but hey, the house doesn’t stink. That’s the unsung heroism of love. It doesn’t care about applause; it cares about others.
So, while Paul’s definition of love may seem like it’s out of reach—especially on days when we’re all too human—there’s humor and grace in the struggle. The more we practice it, the more love shapes us into patient, kind, not-so-easily-angered people. It’s like a divine workout for the soul, and trust me, we all need it.
Personal Prayer
Lord, give me the strength to forgive quickly and fully, just as You forgive me. Let me not hold on to anger or keep records of wrongs, but instead, reflect Your heart of grace and mercy. May I honor others in the way I speak, act, and think, always seeking to uplift and encourage.
Fill my heart with humility and peace, so that my love may resemble Yours—pure, unconditional, and enduring. In moments of weakness, remind me that love is the greatest commandment, and that with Your help, I can share that love with those around me.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.