Bible passage: 1 Corinthians 13:4–5 NLT
“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.”
Are you frustrated when you offer a genuinely beneficial suggestion to a loved one only to be rejected or ignored? Picture this: you witness them struggling with an issue you’ve overcome, and you’re eager to share your solution, only to face disagreement. What’s your reaction? Do you engage in endless debates, insisting they see things your way, or do you surrender the situation to God?
It’s all too easy to fall into the former category (a struggle I know too well), particularly when you firmly believe your solution could help them if only they’d give it a chance. Perhaps the fear of them suffering the consequences of not following our guidance may drive us to insist on our way, thinking it’s an act of love. But is it really?
1 Corinthians 13:5 reminds us that love does not insist on having its own way, and this principle is evident in God’s treatment of us. Despite possessing the power to force us to follow His will and obey His commands, God grants us free will to make our own choices. Similarly, we should extend the same freedom to those we truly love.
Instead of stubbornly demanding our way due to fear of the repercussions of their non-compliance, we should take our fears and worries to God through prayer, finding solace in His peace and placing our trust in His ability to guide and support them. Ultimately, only God possesses the power to transform the hearts of individuals.”
So, the next time you face resistance or rejection, consider letting go and committing the situation to God, trusting in His divine plan. By releasing the need to control the outcome, you open the door for God to work in mysterious and remarkable ways.
Other helpful passages:
Proverbs 3:5–6 NLT
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
Philippians 4:6–7 NLT
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
1 Peter 3:1–2 NLT
“In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives.”
