He who has no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down and without walls. 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NKJV)
Relationships improve when we accept people as they are, along with all of their flaws. 1 Corinthians 13 talks about loving people correctly and it’s all about loving imperfection:
- Love endures. If love has to endure, the person you love must do things you don’t like. Yet you love them anyhow, confronting their behaviour if they hurt you.
- Love is patient. Even healthy relationships require repeated forgiveness and understanding.
- Love is kind. When you love someone, you do your best to protect their feelings.
- Love keeps no record of wrongs. When you are wronged, learn to get your scope off of the problem and onto the things you love about the person.
- Love bears up under anything. There are times in life when you will have to stand strong but love sticks with it even when things aren’t going well.
- Love is always ready to believe the best of every person. In doing so, you empower them to rise to the level of your expectation.
- Love never fades, becomes obsolete or comes to an end—ever. Love that accepts imperfection remains hopeful regardless of the circumstances.
The happiest people are the ones who have stopped expecting perfection. They free themselves to love, laugh and enjoy people. Learn to love imperfection and develop a kind of love that runs deep—an unconditional, endless, God kind of love.