Daily Devotional - Possibilities: The Garden of the Heart - Week 25 - Day 171 - 6/20/26 - “Love That Looks Like Jesus”

Author: Evangelist Lisa Dalton

“Love That Looks Like Jesus”
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4–7

“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”

Devotional:
When Paul describes love in 1 Corinthians 13, he isn’t giving us a cute wedding reading.
He’s giving us a portrait of Jesus — and an invitation to let His love reshape our own.

This passage shows us that love is not a feeling. It’s not chemistry. It’s not convenience.
It’s character. Real love is revealed in how we treat people when:

• we’re tired.
• we’re frustrated.
• we’re disappointed.
• we’re hurt.
• we’re inconvenienced.

Love shows up in the small moments — the ones no one sees but God.

What This Passage Teaches Us:
1. Love is patient and kind
Patience is love that refuses to rush people.
Kindness is love that chooses gentleness over judgment.
2. Love doesn’t compete or compare
It doesn’t envy, boast, or demand attention.
Love is secure enough to celebrate others.
3. Love doesn’t keep score
It doesn’t replay offenses.
It doesn’t store receipts.
It doesn’t weaponize the past.
Love chooses forgiveness — again and again.
4. Love protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres
This is the love that stays.
The love that believes the best.
The love that refuses to give up.
The love that mirrors the heart of God.

Reflection:
Where is God inviting you to love more like Him?  Is it:

• Patience with someone who drains you?
• Kindness toward someone who’s difficult?
• Forgiveness where you’ve been holding onto hurt?
• Hope where you’ve grown discouraged?
• Perseverance where you feel like quitting?

Ask the Holy Spirit to shape your heart into the kind of love described in this passage — a love that looks like Jesus.

Today’s Takeaway:
Love is not something you feel — it’s something you choose, and Jesus empowers you to live it out.

Prayer:
Lord, teach me to love the way You love. Make my heart patient, kind, humble, and forgiving. Remove anything in me that keeps score or holds onto hurt. Fill me with a love that protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres. Let Your love flow through me today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.