My 4-year-old son, Eli, likes to have things his way. When he wants something, he goes and gets it. Sometimes, when someone tries to make him do something he doesn’t want to do, like go to bed, he throws a tantrum… I mean a full-on, scream-his-head-off, throw-himself-to-the-ground, tantrum.
It’s bad when 4-year-old acts like this, but it’s expected. When a 40-year-old does it…
You would think that by the time we become adults we would learn to act better, but I’ve seen some adults come pretty close to that description of my 4-year-old. Not only is this not good, but when we act like this, we usually look like fools.
The other day, when I was in Walmart with Eli waiting to check out, some guy a few registers over started yelling and screaming and using profanity every other word. Other employees quickly came over to help the poor clerk who was being berated. However, this went on for a good 5 minutes. I don’t know what the issue was, but I do know that this guy looked like a fool and jerk.
I also know this is not how love acts.
Love does not insist on its own way. Love is able to work with others and respect their opinions. Love does nothing in selfishness but puts the needs of others first. Paul talks about this 1 Corinthians chapters 9-11.