Recently, my mum came to visit and stayed with me for a couple of weeks. What began as a joyful reunion soon tested my patience in ways I hadn’t anticipated. Some of the things she did were minor—nothing significant enough to justify getting upset—but I found myself growing increasingly irritated.
Then one day, I decided to shift my perspective. Instead of allowing frustration to take over, I began correcting her gently, with love, or simply ignoring the small mistakes that weren’t worth the energy. The moment I chose patience, everything changed. We started to truly enjoy each other’s company, and the time we spent together became much more meaningful. All it took was exercising patience and treating her the way I’d want others to treat me.
The experience reminded me of a powerful truth from the Bible: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” This command is repeated over and over because love isn’t always easy. It requires intention, effort, and the willingness to go beyond our natural reactions.
So, what is love? Love is patience. It’s considering others as we consider ourselves. It’s choosing kindness, even when we don’t feel like it or think the other person deserves it. When we extend patience to others, we create space for peace and harmony to flourish.
Too often, impatience robs us of the chance to love fully and deeply. But imagine the difference we could make if we embraced patience instead. The small irritations and frustrations of daily life pale in comparison to the joy and connection that come from treating others with kindness and understanding.
Today, try showing love by being patient. Whether it’s with family, friends, coworkers, or strangers, pause and remind yourself to respond with compassion. You’ll be amazed at how much richer and more harmonious your relationships become. Patience is love in action, and it has the power to transform not just your interactions, but your entire outlook on life.
Take the challenge: Be patient and see how much of a difference it makes—not just for others, but for yourself.
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