When the Apostle Paul writes, “love is patient,” the word he uses describes patience with people and not patience with circumstances. It is the word used of the man who is wronged and who has it easily in his power to avenge himself and yet will not do so. Such patience is not a sign of weakness but the sign of strength, and is the only way to victory.
An example is recorded by Fosdick in his reference to the way President Lincoln was treated by Stanton. Stanton called Lincoln a “low cunning clown,” and nicknamed him the “original gorilla.”
Lincoln said nothing. Instead, he made Stanton his war minister and treated him with great courtesy and said, “Stanton was the best man for the job.”
Years later, on the night President Lincoln was assassinated, Stanton stood in the room where Lincoln’s body had been taken and looked upon Lincoln’s silent face. Stanton said through his tears, “There lies the greatest ruler of men the world has ever seen.”
Patient love had won.
