Love That Doesn’t Snap

Read

I Corinthians 13:4a “Love is patient…”

Exodus 34:6 “And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, ‘The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,’”

Think

Have you ever found yourself scrolling through your phone, tapping and swiping like your life depends on it? That’s us—impatient, always in a hurry, always needing the next thing. We’re wired for instant gratification, from two-day shipping to TikTok clips that last mere seconds. Yet Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 13 that real love isn’t fast—it’s patient.

The Corinthians weren’t strangers to impatience. They were caught up in competition, selfishness, and quick tempers. Paul’s message wasn’t a gentle suggestion; it was a wake-up call. Love isn’t about rushing to be heard or having the last word—it’s about waiting, listening, and enduring. Tim Keller puts it like this: “Patience is love for the long haul.” It’s holding your tongue in frustration and offering grace when irritation feels easier.

Think about how God loves us. He doesn’t roll his eyes when we stumble or interrupt us when we ramble in prayer. His love waits. That’s what makrothumeo, the Greek word for patience, means—“long-suffering.” It’s love that endures without snapping, even in the waiting.

What does this look like in real life? When someone cuts you off in conversation, patience means pausing before you respond. It means resisting the urge to correct, criticize, or control. Or when your spouse forgets something important—again—patience chooses understanding over frustration.

We live in a culture that glorifies the quick fix and the witty comeback, but love invites us to slow down. To wait. To listen. And in the waiting, God works. Today, ask God to help you reflect his patient love—not just in your actions, but in your words and responses. Because love isn’t just about what we do—it’s about how we wait.

Apply

Show grace in small moments. When someone makes a mistake—whether it’s forgetting an appointment or leaving dirty dishes—choose to respond with kindness rather than frustration.

Pray

God, thank you for your patience with me, even when I fall short or take longer to grow. Help me to reflect that same patient love to others, choosing kindness and grace over frustration and hurry. Teach me to pause, listen, and wait well, so that I look more like you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.