Not Easily Angered

Day 5

Love Is Not Easily Angered

“Love is not easily angered”. That is part of Paul’s description of love in I Cor. 13.  Other Bible translation read, “Love is not provoked” or “Love is not touchy”-- meaning that it does not insist on its own rights or its own way.  Love (God’s love in and through us) is designed to be other-centered  and does not retaliate when wronged.  It depicts a calm, unselfish spirit. 

It doesn’t seem that this kind of calm spirit is very prevalent in our world today.  What we tend to see more often is road-rage or pushing and shoving, and all sorts of impatient “me first” selfishness.  It is truly a challenge to be other-centered in our lives.  It takes God’s grace and intentionality on our part to be able to not be “provoked” or “touchy” in response to feeling that we have been wronged.  We’ve heard about God’s patience with us—that He has a “long fuse” in His dealings with us.  He has told us in Ps 46:10 that we are to “Be still and know that I am God”.  This involves our having a “long fuse” in our dealings with others. We can patiently take a moment to consider the situation instead of just reacting.  It is good that we have been reminded recently that we are continually interacting with “as is” people in our lives, because we need to act and respond with authentic love.  We can learn to see people through God’s eyes.  We can learn to step out and love others—whether they have wronged us or not. 

Thinking of taking our time and being calm and patient brings to mind a kids’ song that is a good reminder.  Maybe you’ve heard it…….

There was a snail called Herbert who was so very slow
He caused a lot of traffic jams wherever he would go
The ants were always getting mad and the beetles, they would fume
But Herb would always poke along and sing this little tune

Have patience, have patience
Don't be in such a hurry
When you get impatient, you only start to worry
Remember, remember that God is patient, too
And think of all the times when others have to wait for you

When Herbert was much younger, he often got in trouble
Forgetting that he was a snail, he did things on the double
He'd crash through every spider web and with crickets he'd collide
'Til one day Herbert's father took his speeding son aside

Have patience, have patience
Don't be in such a hurry
When you get impatient, you only start to worry
Remember, remember that God is patient, too
And think of all the times when others have to wait for you

Questions for Reflection

Be still and know that I am God”.  How does reflecting on this verse help neutralize some of our touchiness? 

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Remember that God is patient.  How has God been patient with you?  Where is He extending His patience to you currently? 

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Write out a prayer reflecting the above devotional

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Contributors:  John Brydon, Bob Klecan, John Lutz, Karen Snow