SCRIPTURE

Love is large and incredibly patient. Love is gentle and consistently kind to all. It refuses to be jealous when blessings come to someone else. Love does not brag about one’s achievements nor inflate its own importance. Love does not traffic in shame and disrespect, nor selfishly seek its own honor. Love is not easily irritated or quick to take offense. Love joyfully celebrates honesty and finds no delight in what is wrong. Love is a safe place of shelter, for it never stops believing the best for others. Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up. - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (TPT)

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PRAYER

Dear God,

The characteristics of pure love capture your very essence, but I confess the same can’t be said of me. I know you don’t expect perfection—no one can love as well as you—but you do, still, expect us to love well. This time of quarantine has presented so many unexpected challenges, and patience, gentleness, and kindness have not been my go-to responses. Please forgive me, Lord, and help me to bear the burden of love and celebrate the blessings of it. Give me the words to soothe the wounds from harsh words I’ve spoken, show me where I have been selfish or disrespectful of those I love, and let me be a safe place for hard conversations and raw emotions. Thank you for your assurance of love, and the opportunity to love others. With your help, I will do better.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

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JOURNAL REFLECTION

Whether you have been quarantining with your spouse, children, roommate, or even alone, the fact is, emotions are running high right now. Is there anyone you need to ask forgiveness from? Which of the characteristics in the verses from today do you struggle with? Which describe you well?

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CALL TO ACTION

Today’s verse reminds us of the multifaceted love we are to emulate as Christ-followers. Intending to demonstrate this kind of love to those in our lives is one thing, but ardently doing it is a unique challenge all its own. Read the devotion, “Love and Forgiveness,” and reflect on today’s prayer. Even as tensions run high in our homes and public spaces, pray for the ability to continuously love and forgive others as God loves and forgives each of us.