Love Exercises

           Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. (I Corinthians 13:4-5)

Patient: Willing to let God work in the person’s life instead of trying to be God therein.

Kind: Loaning them your strength, money, etc. Giving them time.

Envy: resenting their having or doing what they have or can do.

Boast: expressing excessive (unmerited) pride

Proud: Thinking more highly of oneself – or of oneself - more than one should

Dishonor: To speak negatively about someone

Self-seeking: Looking only for what benefits you, regardless of what it does to others.

          I don’t really think the last two need to be defined, which probably means they’re the ones I need most to work on. I’m also going to be very upfront and say that the definitions aren’t necessarily from the dictionary. Some are conclusions I’ve reached or ideas I’ve stolen from memes. If you don’t like my definitions, use your own for the following exercise.

          If you can, read the passage aloud. The second time you read it, substitute the word “God” for the word “love” and add “with me,” “to me,” or “of me” to each phrase: “God is patient with me,” etc. Pay attention to your responses. Write down the one(s) that are difficult or emotional for you. Note especially any that you cannot get yourself to say. Try it again, replacing “God” with “I,” and “me” with “myself.”

          Repeat the exercise but pick someone you think you love as the object. “I am patient with Grace,” etc. Do any ring false? Do it again with a neighbor, or with someone with whom you don’t get along. Since God told us to love our enemies, try it with an enemy: Nancy Pelosi, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, or whoever.

          You might also try this exercise replacing “I” with someone else. Is that person patient with you? If not, are they trying? Is the person immature, or do they really not love you?