Verse: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Thoughts
When you think of someone protecting someone what do you think of? What image comes to mind? Is it a police officer or firefighter? Or maybe something from the movies like the Avengers? For me (I have no idea why) I immediately picture a warrior from a movie like Braveheart or Gladiator (I know...I'm old).
To protect is to take up someone's defense. To see that someone is vulnerable and presumably can't protect themselves, and therefore needs a protector. And then to step in and defend them.
In your world, what would it look like for you to love someone by protecting them? Love always protects. So what would it look like?
I think it can be as simple as encouraging someone when they are down. You are protecting them from the lies they are tempted to believe about themselves. It can be sitting with someone who is hurting - you are protecting them from suffering alone. It can be speaking up for someone when others are making fun of them.
Love always protects. Can we be people who always protect? Can we look for those who are vulnerable and be a source of strength for them?
Prayer
Thank you that you always protect me God. I pray that I could look to do the same for others!