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Love Is Not Easily Angered and Keeps No Record of Wrongs

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-7 NIV

Love is a challenge that Jesus is calling me to accept

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” JOHN 13:34-35 NLT

Love becomes a real challenge when someone hurts me

“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you.” LUKE 6:27 NLT

If I accept God’s love challenge…

God’s love must become stronger than my anger

Love … is not easily angered, 1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-5 NIV

Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back. PROVERBS 29:11 NLT

Is this issue worth the end of the relationship?

Love never fails. 1 CORINTHIANS 13:8 NIV

Is my anger clouding my judgment?

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. JAMES 1:19 NLT

How is my anger affecting other relationships?

Short-tempered people do foolish things, PROVERBS 14:17 NLT

My love must become better than my memory

Love … keeps no record of wrongs. 1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-5 NIV

“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, EPHESIANS 4:26 NIV

What I don’t repair, I will repeat

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 PETER 5:6-7 NIV

Acknowledge the hurt

Do the work to heal the hurt

Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good. ROMANS 12:21 NLT

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Find a quiet place where you can be alone with God to listen to His guidance and wisdom. Take a few slow, deep breaths to help you become still in your thoughts and emotions. When you are ready, ask God to guide you and to accomplish His purposes for this time. Think about the description of God’s love that says that love is not easily angered. Ask God to help you identify anyone you are angry with. How did they hurt or wrong you? Why is it difficult for you to forgive this person and release your anger to God? What negative consequences could happen if you do not work through your anger? Reflect on some of the ways you have hurt and wronged God and that He holds none of these things against you. What feelings and thoughts surface? Close your time by asking God to impress upon you one person you are angry with and an action you can take this week to heal this hurt or sense of being wronged. Give God any burdens you still have in working through your hurt, your sense of being wrong, or forgiveness. Pray He will enable you to forgive and love this person as God loves and forgives you.

Discussion Questions

Choose a couple of the following questions from each section that best fit your group. Or have everyone read the questions, choosing which one(s) from each section they feel led to respond to.

  1. START HERE: Do you believe in love at first sight?
  2. START HERE: What do you find challenging about loving people?
  3. START HERE: Jesus told us to love others the way he loves us. How has God loved you?
  4. KEEP GOING: Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT). Which of these does your soul need the most right now?
  5. KEEP GOING: When is a time when your anger has clouded your judgment or damaged a relationship?
  6. KEEP GOING: Read James 1:19 (NLT). Rate your listening skills 1-10. What could you do to improve as a listener?
  7. KEEP GOING: What I don’t repair, I will repeat. What is something that needs to be repaired in a close relationship of yours?
  8. LIVE IT OUT: What would help you let go of the past and embrace a different future marked by God’s love and healing?
  9. LIVE IT OUT: Think of a person or situation that currently angers you. How is God challenging you to love through this?