The Deceptive Impression

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

1 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV)

Most often, the first positive impression we have of a person is what attracts us to them. This impression can stem from their way of dressing, speaking, walking, expressing themselves, their intelligence, a project they presented, and many other qualities. As soon as a connection is made, we appreciate their presence. The best way to express this feeling is to say that we like this person. For us, it's an undeniable truth.

However, if after a while, this same person begins to exhibit a negative attitude or behavior that bothers or hurts us, we begin to find them unbearable. Very often, we don't take the time to understand the cause of this change. This is where Paul is right in saying that love is patient and kind. Before judging someone we have loved or admired, we must show patience, support them, and try to understand the origin of their problem. Sometimes, we are directly the cause of it, but the person cannot tell us openly.

When we truly love someone, we learn to know them as they are, without focusing solely on what initially attracted us. It is this understanding that will allow us to be patient, without ever boasting about our good deeds or feeling superior. The love we have for others is manifested by the efforts we make to make them feel comfortable in our company and by the sacrifices we make for their happiness, even if they wrong us. It is not the first positive impression that matters in love. This is where many lose patience and become rude to those they once loved.

May the grace and peace of God be with you all.