Patience and Kindness by David Jeremiah

Thursday, March 2

Patience and Kindness 

Love suffers long and is kind . . . . 
1 Corinthians 13:4a 

Recommended Reading Romans 12:17-21

In March 2007, Switzerland invaded its tiny neighbor-nation, Lichtenstein—accidentally. A group of about 170 Swiss soldiers accidentally crossed the unmarked border between the two nations before recognizing where they were. Liechtenstein has no army and wasn’t aware of the “invasion” until later. When they eventually discovered they had been accidentally invaded, Liechtenstein chose to forgive its neighbor and not retaliate.

How great it would be if all such “invasions” in life could be met with such kindness—especially those where our personal space or rights are invaded! Sometimes we are wounded intentionally, sometimes unintentionally. Regardless, the fleshly side of us thinks immediately of retaliating. That, of course, is the opposite of what Paul wrote in his Love Chapter: “Love suffers long and is kind.” Why do you think Paul wrote of patience (longsuffering) and immediately thought of kindness? Perhaps our first response to a wound should be patience, giving time for kindness and forgiveness to come forth.

If you love, you will be patient—even toward those who wound you (Matthew 5:44). While being patient, the spiritual fruit of kindness (Galatians 5:22) is born.

Kindness, like a boomerang, always returns. 
Author Unknown