Corinthians 13: 4-7 is a rather popular bible verse. It talks about love and what constitutes love. Even if you aren't religious, stick with me because what I'm about to say makes a whole lot of sense.

Corinthians 13: 4-7 goes as follows:

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves."

Why is this bible verse so important? It is not the words of the bible verse itself that are so important; it is what the words can mean that is so important. If you alter the bible verse by changing "love" to "I," the message is absolutely outstanding.

"I am patient, I am kind. I do not envy. I do not boast, I am not proud. I do not dishonor others, I am not self-seeking, I am not easily angered, I keep no record of wrongs. I do not delight in evil but rejoice the truth. I always protect, always trust, always hope, always preserve."

Are these statements true about yourself? If you can read this altered bible verse and pick out a few different statements that don't exactly fit you, then these are the things you need to work on. Not only should these statements refer to the type of lover you are, but they should refer to the kind of friend, son, daughter, worker, student, etc. you are. This bible verse should apply to you in all aspects of life.

After changing the word "love" to the word "I," take it a step further. Change the "love" to the name of your significant other. When asking yourself the notorious question "Do I love him/her?" read this back to yourself and see just how many of these statements hold true for them. Again, this can apply to any of your loved ones.

"____ is patient, ____ is kind. ____ does not envy. ____ dies not boast, ____ is not proud. ____ does not dishonor others, ____ is not self-seeking, ____ is not easily angered, ____ keeps no record of wrongs. ____ does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ____ always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves."

I challenge you to change the "love" to "I" and their name. I challenge you to see just how many of these statements hold true for yourself and your relationships. Corinthians 13: 4-7, altered or not, can provide quite the life lesson to make you a better lover or friend.