In a world where love is as easily forgotten as it is obtained, I find that Scripture rings true on what love should really look like. The most common example of this is 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. The most wonderful way to determine whether or not you're truly in love is to base it according to this passage because it lists all that love should look like, especially within the context of a Christ-centered relationship.
Love is patient. If you find yourself constantly getting annoyed by the things your significant other does, that does not reflect love whatsoever. If you cannot appreciate their quirks and keep patience and composure, love may not truly be in the relationship. Show patience because it is so rare in a world where convenience is key.
Love is kind. This should be obvious. If you love someone, you shouldn't treat them with hostility or hatred. Be kind to those you love both romantically and familially.
Love does not envy or boast. If you're good at something, show your significant other your passions without glorifying yourself. We all could practice humility at times. Love shows more interest in the one you love than in the talents you may possess. Likewise, if you love someone, don't be jealous of them. If they need a day with their friends, let them go. Everyone needs space sometimes and that needs to be allowed.
Love is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way. Arrogance and rudeness are easily shown when aggravation sets in (which it will). With arrogance comes insisiting upon your own way. Love includes compromise. If love is what you seek, it could very well lead to marriage. Compromise is so important when considering marriage because agreement must be met in order to decide everything from where you live to what customs you will choose as holiday traditions. It's important to think of your other half more than yourself and to put them first.
Love is not irritable or resentful. While you will get annoyed with your significant other, taking out your frustrations on them would make your significant other feel less loved and under appreciated. Feeling under appreciated and unloved leads to the resentment the passage warns against. Holding a grudge against the one you "love" does not signify what true love is. It may be felt in a mere infatuation, but not with love.
It does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with truth. It's easy to feel insecure with the things your partner has more talent in. In relationships, I have found myself secretly wishing to do better than guys I've dated just because it meant competition. That in itself shows that love was absent. Be happy for their achievements and sympathetic in their times of failure.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. If the relationship ends, love was absent. I have thought I was in love in the past, but when the relationship was over I began realizing that those relationships would have ended in disaster had they resumed. A problem with modern day society is that divorce is so rampant. It's almost like culture has shaped marriage to be a test run that can easily be broken by divorce and so there's less emphasis to fix marital issues. Love bears and hopes and believes and endures ALL THINGS. No matter how bad it gets, it can be mended. Unless your situation makes you fear for your life, get help to mend the marriage. It's a sacred bond and the vows you take should be taken seriously. Love never ends. That is something to hold near and dear to your heart.
