We hear these verses constantly. At weddings, in church, on that super cute couple’s Instagram page. We always associate these few verses as if they belong solely to relationships. I’m not saying they don’t or that they shouldn’t. I actually have a sign with the verses hanging in my living room next to our marriage certificate – so I promise that’s by no means what I’m saying.

These verses shouldn’t only apply to our relationship with our significant other, it should also apply to our friendships, to our relationship with Christ.

When God is working in our lives, when he is closing doors left and right and we’re just so frustrated with the world – and we don’t know what to do. • “Love is patient, love is kind” • Remember – we love Him, we’re so thankful for his sacrifices for us. We need to be patient because he tells us time and time again that he has plans for US. He knows what he’s doing, and we need to quit losing sight of that.

When God blesses someone else’s life – wether it be a promotion, or an engagement, or a pregnancy. • ”It does not envy” • God is working on you, don’t worry about what he’s doing for others. I’m preaching to the choir right now, let me go ahead and tell you I have a season pass on the struggle bus when it comes to this; and I know we’ve all struggled with this at least once, we’re human, it happens. But, remember our time will come darlings, and when our time does • “it does not boast” • Try to remember…someone is looking at you right now praying, begging for a blessing to come their way. Don’t flaunt it – but tell them of times you were envious – of times you begged for a change — give them faith that their time will come – just like ours.

It is very easy today, to see someone acting “wrong”, and for us to get underneath that facebook post and just blast them for not being Christ-like…to tell them that they are acting wrong, and that it is just unacceptable. It’s easy to do a good deed, then turn around and post it all over facebook because you’re looking for the Glory that comes along with it. We should do good things, we should use our faith to remind others of what Christ is – of who HE is, not for likes and comments and replies under our post. • It does not dishonor others, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ” •

• It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” • This verse. It gets me every time. We should always protect the Word of God, we should always trust that HE will take care of us, we should always hope that can be worthy of the ultimate sacrifice that HE gave to us. Lastly, we should always persevere. No matter what is thrown our way, no matter what obstacle, what tragedy, what heartbreak we encounter. We can and we will preserve with God at our right side walking us through the fire. We shall prevail – because with him, we have it all.

Lord help us to use this passage to not only grow our earthly relationships – but help us to use this as a guide for our relationship with you. Help us to have faith, patience, and hope. Teach us your ways.

| “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 |