Loving People Isn't EasySample

Love keeps no record of wrongs

Love has goldfish memory when it comes to others’ misgivings and faults.
It doesn’t let bitterness and hurt fester in its heart for long.
It doesn’t let anger stew.
It doesn’t look at people through the lens of their past.
It doesn’t make up its mind about people based on “the latest juice” or “gossip” heard about them.

Love doesn’t hold on to offence with a tight grip.
It is willing to let go and start afresh.
It’s willing to pick up the phone and make the first call.
It’s not afraid to make things right even when it is not in the wrong.

Love doesn’t always remind others of the times they goofed up. It doesn’t mock their mistakes and ridicule their weaknesses.
It believes people are capable of change and is hopeful even about the basket cases.
When everyone gives up on someone, love doesn’t.
It doesn’t measure people by their track record.

When it’s deeply and intentionally hurt by someone over and over again;
Despite their seemingly unchanging patterns of behaviour,
Love takes a deep breath and says, “Once more”.
“Once more I’ll forgive them, because as painful and undeserving as that is,
that’s exactly what Jesus would do”.

Love keeps no record of wrongs.

A few self-reflection questions:

1. Are you struggling with bitterness and unforgiveness towards someone in your life?
2. How can you work towards not just forgiving that person but also not holding close to the memories of the hurt or offence they caused you?
3. How do you bring this person before God today and ask Him to help you love them - even if you feel they don't deserve it?

Journalling Prompt:

Get your journal out and write down the phrase “­­_______ keeps no record of WRONGS” (insert your name in the blank space). Now, use your creativity through words, art, painting, doodling, or whatever your creative expression is to bring this page alive intentionally – in a way that you’d remember to forgive others and love them unconditionally like 1 Cor 13 expects us to.