In marriage, we can focus on better communication, keeping romance in our relationship, or how to fight fair, but the key to doing these well is learning to love well. What does it look like to love well? Jesus said, Greater love has no man than this than he lay down his life for his friends.” Loving others well is not a walk in the park; it takes sacrifice and emotional maturity.
One of the most beautiful descriptions of what love looks like is found 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
Notice the first description of loving well - Love is patient. Why did it have to start with that one? Ever tried to be patient when your husband is late, or your wife lost her keys… again, etc. If you want to love well, you have to start with patience. Our spouse will do things that annoy us, irritate us, and even make us angry. But if we want to love well we have to learn to be patient. I love what someone said, “Patience is not the ability to wait; it’s the ability to keep a good attitude while we wait.” This takes patience to a whole new level. Have you ever had to wait for your spouse and inside you are boiling mad on the inside?
John Wesley said, Humility and patience are the surest proofs of the increase of love.”
Every time your spouse tests your patience it is an opportunity to grow in love. Hold your tongue, weigh your words, and take some deep breaths before you speak, and your capacity to love your spouse with patience will increase.
What helps you to be patient with your spouse? Leave it in the comments.
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