"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."
Most of us have heard these words as the definition of love. And yet, so often we get caught up in thinking of love as an uncontrollable emotion, now an action. One of the best pieces of advice I ever got came from my mom. She told me "Love is a choice. I choose every day to wake up and love your dad. It's not always easy. I don't always feel butterflies. But I make the decision to love him."
As I said in most of my posts, these are all things I constantly have to be working on, as well. And I felt like it would be a good reminder of what it looks like to love on each other, as friends or significant others.
Love is Patient. Are you willing to wait for the right person? And by wait, are you withholding sex, emotional closeness, and your heart until the proper time? Are you patient with your friends? Not just if they are running late for dinner, but if they take longer to arrive at a spiritual point?
Love is Kind. Are you reaching out to others and serving them?
Love is not Envious. If your friends, or significant other, got a promotion and a raise would you wish you had gotten it? If a friend got engaged before you, are you upset?
Love does not Boast. Are you always telling others how great you're doing?
Love is not Proud. Are you vain? Do you like attention? Do you think highly of yourself? When good things happen do you take the credit or do you praise God?
Love does not Dishonor Others. Do you take advantage of people? Do you show them your gratitude? Do you put others down and make them feel bad about themselves to make yourself feel better?
Love is not Self-Seeking. Do you put the needs and wants of others before yours? Do you like to get your way? Do you sacrifice time, energy, money, etc for others?
Love is not Easily Angered. Do you have a temper? Do you yell, curse, or offend people when you've had a bad day? Do you get mad if someone or something throws a wrench in your plans?
Love does not Keep Records of Wrongs. If a friend wronged you and apologized, do you keep going back to that and bringing it up? Do you hold things over people's heads?
Love does not Delight in Evil but Rejoices with Truth. How do you respond when someone "gets what they deserve?"
Love Protects. Can others count on you to be in their corner when things are hard? For Guys: Do you walk women to their car at night? Do you offer to drive ladies to social events? Do you make sure she is safely inside before driving away? Can ladies rely on you, if they are in an uncomfortable situation, and know that you will be there?
Love Trusts. Can you keep your mouth shut? Do you have hidden agendas when befriending others? Are you paranoid that someone will cheat on you in a relationship?
Love Hopes. Do you have a positive outlook concerning those in your life?
Love Perseveres. Do you give up easily when things get hard in your friendships or relationship? Do you find yourself thinking that you "don't need this" or you "can live without them"?
This is something that we all should definitely reflect on in our lives and figure out if we really are loving on the people in our lives or if we are self-focused.
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