Here’s something I wrote a while back. Sorry, it’s kinda long. I like to make up for my long absences from the blog by posting long things.

Love is patient. It is not impatient. It is shown in the attitude of waiting. A patient person harbors no resentment or bitterness towards anybody, but joyfully waits on God’s timing. This means valuing people above situations. This means I care for why someone is late instead of getting angry because MY schedule is thrown off. This means bearing up with others’ weaknesses with a desire to see God change them, not me. This means looking for the best in people, rather than caring about how others respect me.

Love is kind. It is not unkind. It seeks to bring out the best in people. It speaks gently to people; it never uses harsh words or tones or actions. It treats others as he would want to be treated. This means building others up with encouraging words rather than critically pointing out their faults. This means responding to a harsh word with grace and humility, rather than retaliating in anger. This means helping others when they are in need. This means being observant of others’ needs and taking initiative to meet those needs as best as I can. This means caring for others, giving my life away and trusting God to care for my needs.

Love does not envy. It is content. It rejoices with others’ successes without bitterness or resentment. It mourns with others’ losses without gloating about their misfortune. This means finding my needs met in the person of Jesus Christ. This means that I am satisfied with where I am and with what God has given me. This means I don’t compare myself with others in any aspect – not grades, not abilities, not prayer lives, not Scripture memory, not wisdom, not character, NOTHING.

Love does not boast. It promotes others above self. It does not exalt himself. It speaks in humility. This means accepting the grace of God in every aspect of my life. This means speaking in ways that make others look good, without putting myself down or shortchanging myself. This means having a tender attitude towards others, seeking to benefit all who listen.

Love is not proud. It is humble. A loving man is aware of who he is, how God has blessed him, but does not desire to lord those blessings over anyone. He recognizes that he is not God. He is teachable, able to learn from any situation and anyone. He does not hesitate to do the right thing, even if it hurts himself. He does not consider himself better than others, but offers his strengths to help others’ weaknesses. This means I look past myself and my hurts to the struggles and hurts that others may have. This means giving everything I have to others, even my life. This means asking questions to understand, rather than asking questions to challenge disrespectfully or to instruct. This means listening more and lecturing less. This means graciously accepting correction and rebuke, while being slow to presume authority over others. This means being open and honest with people, sincerely sharing my heart instead of hiding from others. This means having compassion for others, seeing them as God sees them.

Love is not rude. It is polite. It is considerate. It esteems other people’s feelings higher than being funny or making a point. A loving man asks the question, “Is this going to encourage?” before speaking. This means thinking before I speak. This means being tactful and attentive to others, rather than being concerned with my own agenda.

Love is not self-seeking. It looks to the interests of others. It places others’ interests ahead of my own. It causes me to put my desires to death, in favor of helping to fulfill others’ desires. This means choosing to look at others in the best possible light. This means admitting fault rather than justifying myself. This means letting others choose what they want first, and that I choose last or take what is left. This means making others look good. This means doing whatever I can to make other people’s jobs easier.

Love is not easily angered. It is self-controlled. It does not let issues and situations damage relationships. It gives grace to others and forgives quickly. It seeks to understand others first, then to be understood. It does not harbor grudges, nor does it allow frustration to build up. This means communicating my heart without accusation. This means guarding my heart from lies. This means listening and asking questions, rather than assuming the worst in others. This means being gracious at receiving correction and rebuke, instead of taking offense. This means realizing that I am covered by grace, so that I do not need to criticize my faults as much as I do. This means caring about how others feel, and caring less about how I feel.

Love keeps no record of wrongs. It forgives and chooses not to remember the offense. It never brings up the past in a conflict. It pays the price for others and says, “No strings attached.” It does not manipulate. This means honestly forgiving others. This means seeking to right wrongs I have done. This means that I don’t play the “blame game.” This means taking responsibility for the wrongs I have done to others. This means moving past my hurts/wounds/scars to serve others.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Love doesn’t seek to harm others or pursue personal satisfaction. It doesn’t hide sins in darkness, nor does it parade sins in the light. It longs for true repentance, a changed heart. It desires truth and despises falsehood. It is sincere; it is pure. This means becoming a “safe” person with whom to talk – one who encourages open, honest talk without judgment. This means fleeing all forms of temptation, resisting the devil, and standing firm in the knowledge of Scripture. This means seeing beyond the brief ecstasy of sin and having faith in the promises of God, which never fail. This means speaking the truth in love, rather than lying or speaking harshly.

Love always protects. It defends others, it does not attack them. It cares for the defenseless, the helpless, the weak. It engages in battle on behalf of another. It prays for others’ weaknesses rather than blow off their struggles just because “I don’t deal with that.” It seeks to create a safe environment for people to share their hearts. It guards fiercely. It shelters and invites, rather than tearing down and destroying. This means showing grace to others. This means shielding others from attacks. This means giving up my life for the sake of others.

Love always trusts. It is not skeptical. It seeks to know the character of a person, and believe that God is molding them. It is fully aware of the possible worst (at least somewhat aware), but chooses to assume the possible best. It empowers others by supporting them. This means knowing someone for who they really are without passing judgment. This means placing confidence in people, that I can say that they will honor their word.

Love always hopes. It does not despair. It looks for how God is working out every situation for the best. It is confident in God’s faithfulness. It tries to see the potential in others and works to encourage and foster growth. This means I should look for the truth in everything. This means seeing beyond situations and moving past myself. This means putting my pain and sorrow before God and trusting His comfort, then letting those wounds heal, rather than dwelling on those pains. This means being joyful in the Lord. This means being bold in my witness. This means doing everything without grumbling or complaining. This means being passionate about God.

Love always perseveres. It never gives up or surrenders when things become difficult. It stays true and stands firm, even when everyone else has fallen away. It sticks through the hard times. It is committed; it is dedicated to working through the tough stuff. This means not allowing any thing, person, or situation come between my relationships. This means I choose to continue showing love and loving others, regardless of what happens.

Love never fails. It is 100% faithful. It does not wane in commitment. It lasts forever. It forgives and does not withhold itself from others. This means becoming like Jesus. This means NO ABANDONMENT. This means devoting myself to others completely, not hoarding some away for myself, “just in case.” This means that I can rest in confidence, because the love of Christ will always win out.