1 Corinthians 13:1-13: Dress for Success - Put on Love, It Goes with Everything
by Teresa (1,504)
Freelance writer/Speaker
"…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….Three things will last forever – faith, hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7,13
When love is defined according to God's standard, I find that I don't always love as I ought. Most notably in the area of not keeping a record of when others hurt me. There is an old saying, "When others hurt me, I want justice; when I hurt others I want mercy". I am not sure who coined this phrase, but I have to admit it is true at different times in my life.
Why is it that we expect perfection from others when we ourselves cannot deliver the same? Granted, there are those out there whose sole purpose is to inflict pain, but what about those who are just having a bad day, or worse, have painful issues of their own?
I cringe when I think about some of the means things I used to say and do to others. Yet in this looking back I remember that it was because I was filled with hurt and unforgiveness for things that happened in my life. Keeping this in mind helps me to have more compassion and a Christ like attitude toward those who are treating me badly.
Still, it's not easy to let things roll off our back, some things are just to painful; Some wonder if love requires we continually put ourselves in the position of being abused in order to live the way Jesus would have us to live. The answer is, absolutely not – it is okay to remove ourselves from abusive relationships -- frienships and marriage -- with the goal being restoration. The key is to express love by extending forgiveness and being hopeful through prayer that healing would come to the one who has wronged us. [Note - forgiveness is for our benefit, not the offender's.]
I attended a women's retreat this weekend where each of us was given a "Survival Kit for Everyday" to help us be mindful of the ways we can be a blessing to one another. All weekend long, I thought about how this kit is useful for helping us live out the principles of how God would have us love. I for one will be keeping this list on my refrigerator as a morning reminder to put on love and purpose in my heart to live and love like Christ – so help me God.
Survival Kit for Everyday
Toothpick: Matthew 7:1
Always pick out the good qualities in others.
Rubber Band: Romans 8:28
Be flexible, things do not always go the way you want.
Band-Aid: Colossians 3:12-14
Take time to offer a healing hand, one full of love & grace.
Pencil: Ephesians 1:3
You are blessed; add to your list of blessings daily.
Eraser: Romans 3:23
Erase the mistakes you and others make as they happen.
Mint: Proverbs 11:25
Think of how you can refresh as you enjoy this mint.
Kisses: 1 Peter 5:14
Everyone needs a kiss & hug everyday. Pass it on.
Teabag: 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Stop, relax, and review your list of Blessings. Thankfulness goes a long way.
(Prepared and distributed by Marsha Bowling.)
Reading these passages of Scripture and hiding them in our heart and mind will give us the tools we need to dress for success and our light will surely shine before all men.
"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14 – In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Article submitted Monday, April 20, 2009 & read 874 times.
Leave Your Comments:
» left by Ronyae (323 days 22 hours ago.)
Teresa,You've outdone yourself with this one! Fabulous!Respond to this comment
» left by Teresa (1,504)
Hi Ronyae, thanks for reading. I wish I could take the credit :-) Marsha is amazing and God used this little list to bless me and challenge me in many ways. Blessings to you! Teresa
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» left by Lorrie Davids(2) (322 days 19 hours ago.)
Very good points, Teresa and I love the survival kit! I am always blessed by your writing.Respond to this comment
» left by Teresa (1,504)
Hi Lorrie, glad you like it. I am grateful to Marsha, she always manages to hear God speak and the retreats and her extra's are right on!
Thanks for stopping by. God bless you always!
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