Every time we get into a relationship, you come to a point where the I love you’s haven’t been said yet, or you are just unsure if they truly love you. When I was a little girl, my mom told me that if you want to know if someone truly loves you, or you truly love them, read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. When you read it, replace the word “love” with your name, or the other persons name. Let’s delve into this verse from the Word of God. The first line is “Love is patient”. Is your significant other patient with you? Or do they get mad the moment you don’t do something for them that you are just not ready to do? If you said yes to the second question, you need to really consider if they pass the love test. But don’t get down on yourself if your significant other doesn’t have patience because guess what? God has patience. “But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His immense patience as an example for those who would believe in Him and receive eternal life” (1 Timothy 1:16 NIV). Even though we are sinners and we make mistakes, God is patient with us and waits for us to choose the narrow way with Him. He doesn’t get angry with us and casts us away like the world does…He is patient! Now onto our next line…”It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud”. Does your significant other trust you when you go out? Do you consider your significant other to be a humble person? Or do they get jealous when you go out with your friends? Do they boast about everything in their life and not take a moment to show some humility? Ponder upon this. Love should NOT boast or be prideful. Love should be humble and trusting. “You are not saved by the things you have done, so there is nothing to boast about” (Ephesians 2:9 ERV). Why not find someone who instead of boasting, uses their voice to share the good news of Jesus Christ who DIED for our sins…to SAVE us! The next line states: “It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs”. I’m going to be honest, I was in a relationship once where it was always a competition. This verse from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 speaks to my heart because of how much it applied to a past relationship. If your significant other is rude to people you introduce them to, or even to complete strangers!…think about that. If your significant other is only doing things to help themselves and not even focusing on your needs…that’s not healthy. In a relationship your person should help you GROW. They should help you SUCCEED. Now how are you going to succeed together if they want to cross the finish line alone and leave you five miles behind in the race? Another thing, if you ever confront your significant other about your feelings and they get angry at you or start bringing up your past mistakes to mirror the situation onto you…get out while you can because I’m sorry to break this to you but that is 100% an attribute of an unhealthy relationship. Now onto the next line…”Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth”. Does your person get excited when you share about your relationship with Christ, or do they try to tear you apart from your Heavenly Father? Do they share no interest in the truth no matter how much you witness to them? Your significant other should be equally yoked with you. “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14 NKJV). It is definitely possible to meet an unbeliever, witness to them, and have a successful and everlasting relationship. If someone truly loves you, they will delight in the truth with you. They can start as an unbeliever and then find Jesus because of your witnessing which is such a blessing. But it’s also a blessing when you find that person who already has a strong foundation in God and helps bring you closer with Christ each day. Find someone who DELIGHTS in the TRUTH. Not someone who runs from it. The next line states: “It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres”. Does your significant other make you feel safe? Or are you scared to be around them? Is your significant other the person you want to tell every single thing to? Or are you scared to tell them everything knowing they will get angry? Be with someone who makes you feel safe, someone who trusts you, and someone who wishes the best for you. Don’t settle for anything less. Our love test ends with: “Love never fails”. If a relationship didn’t work out in the past, it was never love. Or should I say, it was never everlasting love. I have had many toxic relationships in my past, some that I regret, but there was a lesson with each and every one of them. I wouldn’t be who I am today if it wasn’t for my past relationships. I may be in a waiting season now, and maybe you are too, but guess what? Our person is out there. They are probably sitting at home eating a bag of popcorn living their life for all we know. But God is preparing them for us, and He’s preparing us for them. “Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him’” (Genesis 2:18 NLT). God wants us to be with someone. God wants us to be with someone who will help us succeed and who will help you grow as a child of God. Don’t give up on the waiting season. You don’t know God’s time because it’s GODS time. Not your time…God’s time. Be patient. I promise you when it’s God’s time, that person who has the love described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 will come into your life when you both are ready in the eyes of God.

Amen.

Main Reference: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV