Deeper Reflection
PAUL HAD BEEN PRAYING FOR THE THESSALONIANS THAT “the Lord [will] make you increase and abound in love for one another” (v.12). And now their love for one another “is increasing” (2 Thess 1:3). God was answering Paul’s prayer. God’s answer to prayer for growth in love is never once and for all. We do not stop praying for growth in love, for growing in love is a long journey.For 30 years now, I have not once raised my voice at my wife. Ephesians 4:2-3 enables me to do this: “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” We do have conflicts, but we have not quarrelled.Once I came across a book entitled, “Raise Your Kids, Not Your Voice.” After my son was born, I began to raise my voice – at my son, not at my wife. I struggled for 15 years to apply “love is patient” (1 Cor 13:4) toward my son. But the breakthrough and turning point came in a very surprising way. One night, my son was very rude to his grandmother. I shouted at him angrily, and did something to him that I had never done before. I slapped him – and it was so hard that his spectacles flew off. Since then, practising “love is patient” toward my son became a reality in me. God works in strange ways. I learned that to be patient toward my son was a growth journey by itself, even though I am patient and gentle toward my wife.