My day today started around 4:30. As you could tell on Sunday my asthma was rearing its ugly head. Things continued downhill and yesterday was down right bad. Thankfully I started some high dose steroids late yesterday and a little after midnight things left the danger zone. The steroids also meant sleep was going not going to happen like I wanted. So at 4:30 I gave up and came into the den to read and study. By the way a small earthquake at a little after 5 this morning. I’m not sure what Walter is doing on the hill across from me but I’m convinced they are his fault! 😜
I read over a half dozen devotionals every morning and I glean, learn, and usually move on. This morning one verse stood out.
1 Corinthians 13:7
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Sure I’ve read it hundreds of times. It is used in almost every wedding ceremony I have ever performed but this morning was different. I started reading and studying each word and phrase. All was well until I got to “hopes all things”. Hmmm, hopes all things, now what else could that mean or be interpreted in a different way. After several resources I came across this anology. Love hopes all things can also mean love expects the best.
BAM! It was almost if the Holy Spirit hit me over the head with a 2×4. Some people talk about the preacher stepping on your toes during a sermon. I was nearly knocked to the floor with conviction. You see I have this gift/burden to be able to discern people’s intent within a few minutes of meeting them. Not always but I can pretty quickly tell if your lying, bluffing, trying to boost my ego, not interested, or just being real/regular. That ability also gets in trouble. Why? After awhile in some situations I quit expecting the best.
If I love people should I hope all things? If I love people shouldn’t I expect the best? Conviction was quick.
I’m not suggesting we go blindly through life with rose colored glasses. There are people who truly intend hurt. Scripture even says to test the spirits. But what if we didn’t immediately expect the worst? What if we didn’t expect to be let down? What if we expected the best?
If love hopes in all things and we practice genuine love we will change. Our outlook will change and our treatment of others will change.
Love expects the best!