Friday – October 15, 2021

Scripture

Proverbs 10:12

Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.

Words of Hope

As a Breast Cancer Nurse Navigator, I meet with women who have newly diagnosed breast cancer, and help find resources for them, provide education, and offer emotional support. I develop a bond with some of these women. I feel a particularly strong bond with one woman I met. In our fist conversation, she mentioned that she teaches a Bible class, and she mentioned the words from a verse, “love covers all.” This woman has consistently shown patience with each obstacle to treatment, and gratefulness to God for each obstacle overcome. I have given those words a lot of thought since that day she first mentioned them.

Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs. What would have been the outcome of the January 6th uprising at the Capitol if the protesters had taken these words to heart? Would there even have been a protest at all if protesters had not been egged on by a leader with hatred in his heart?

Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs. How much further along would we be in the battle against COVID-19 if people took these words to heart? Even in fierce debate, conflict can be managed more effectively if the issues at hand are discussed in respectful tones. Disagreement does not have to be synonymous with hatred.

Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs. When I get very frustrated, I tend to raise my voice. Significantly. How many conflicts could I have avoided with my partner Carol, if I could only remember to keep my voice down? I know that we resolve our differences more effectively when we discuss things calmly.

I will give my best effort to keep the words “love covers all” close to my heart, especially in times of strong emotion. The examples in my life prove that those words are indeed powerful.

Prayer

Loving God, help me to remember, as my passions rise, that your love covers all wrongs. I want to be a vessel for your love.

Devotion Author

Molly Sutton
COH Member