On Loveናሙና

Love is Patient

Have you ever prayed for patience? Or perhaps you have prayed to be bold. Often, when we pray for such things, we ask God to remove the circumstances that trigger our patience. We want to be patient enough that nothing could irritate us, which is kind of impossible in reality.

True love is a choice. Patience is practiced whenever an irritant presents itself. There are moments in life when we do not feel like being patient. On the contrary, we become irritated, impatient, and sometimes even want to scream out of frustration. It is then we must choose. Choosing patience is choosing love. The same goes for when we pray for boldness. Boldness is not an absence of valor or a lack of courage. To be bold, we have to be scared. Fear is a necessary component of bravery.

The next time you are feeling impatient, remind yourself that God grants your prayers for patience by putting you in situations that require patience. God places an irritant before you so that you can choose to love. The circumstances are your opportunity.

The power to choose love comes from Love Himself. God is Love. When we choose love, we unleash His Spirit to flow through us to others. It is only through God’s help and guidance that we can make proper choices. But making proper choices requires the opportunity to do so. It is as if we are actors in a play and need a scene.

Transcendence is the power to live above our circumstances. We do not need to avoid them to live fruitful lives. We need to make the most of the opportunities they provide. In Ephesians, Paul begs the church to live in a way that is worthy, as God’s children. To live choosing humility and patience and loving each other. As we allow God’s Spirit to do that in our hearts,  we can live in peace with others.

We can thank our Father for giving us His Spirit, who helps us live fruitful lives. It is God’s love that we embody here on Earth so that others can know Him. May we remember, in moments of impatience, that love is a choice and that we can therefore choose to love.