“4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails.” – 1 Corinthians 13 : 4-8
This is a famous scripture from the Bible. It is recited at many different events, the majority of which are most likely weddings. Husbands and wives are joined together in Holy matrimony motivated by their love for one another. Getting married is romantic, and it is a public declaration of love! As we commit to loving our spouse for a lifetime, it is vital that we understand the depths of this definition.
This scripture is very important as it defines for us exactly what love is! It is more than a four letter word we use to describe our feelings… love is a verb and it is expressed through our actions. I wanted to do a series on this scripture and really explore what love is according to God’s Word and how it applies to marriage. So let us begin…
Part 1 – Love is Patient
Having patience is the ability to wait without becoming anxious or annoyed. Instead of being hasty or impulsive, it is the ability to remain calm. More so being patient is having understanding for a person or situation, and it is being able to endure even through pain or provocation.
Are you patient with your husband?
Do you remain calm and understanding even while being provoked or do you become annoyed and impulsive?
If we love our husbands, we must exercise patience with them. We need to pray and ask God to transform our hearts so that we are wives operating out of patience.
This is something that I have always struggled with! If things are not going according to the timeline in my head, such as getting out of the house on time, I become impulsive. I rush everyone in the situation…which is usually always my husband. I respond to my husband with short and snippy sentences because of my frustrations. This is very selfish of me and I realize that I need to take responsibility for my all of my responses.
A way patience IS exercised in our marriage is through our finances. My husband and I have committed to being debt free. When we want something or need something that requires extra funds, we have patience in waiting for the finances to come in before buying. We help each other wait patiently by encouraging each other with our words.
Here are two great ways my friend Jen Schwickerath explained what patience meant for their marriage:
What is Love? The first thing that is listed is patience. For me and my husband Matt, this started before our marriage. We exercised patience by choosing to remain virgins until we were married. We knew it was important to honor God and ourselves, and believe that exercising patience in this way has been a blessing in our marriage. I also believe if we had shared intimacy with other people, it would have hurt us because we would compare our spouse to those past partners.
Since we have been married, one of the ways we have had to exercise patience is the rebuilding of trust. This takes patience on mine and Matt’s part. Trust isn’t rebuilt overnight, but it can happen with God’s guidance and a little bit of patience.
Be blessed:)
Those are both great ways to exercise patience in marriage! I would also like to point out that patience is a characteristic that God has. And as we strive to be more Holy as God is Holy, we should strive to have patience.
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9
God has patience with us… sinners! He is being patient with our sin, rebellion, and selfishness…Because He desires that none should perish. Likewise, we need to be patient with our spouse… our spouse who at times is sinful, rebellious, and selfish. Through our patience with each other we will be exhibiting love!
The Challenge:
Evaluate your marriage and be aware of when you are being impatient with your husband. If you have been impatient with your husband apologize and let him know you are working on becoming a wife of patience! Tell him that you are asking God to transform this part of your character.
Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Please reveal to me when I am being impatient with my husband and help me to be a wife full of patience. I invite you to transform this part of my character so that I am naturally patient with my husband. I pray that if a time comes that I am impatient with my husband, you would give me the courage and humility to apologize. Thank you for showing me that this is a way I can show love. May I become the wife you have called me to be in Jesus name AMEN!
Questions to discuss in the comments:
