Patience helps us in our dealings with others. It helps us to listen attentively when others speak. (Jas. 1:19) Patience also promotes peace. It protects us from reacting too quickly and saying something unkind when we are under stress. And if we are patient, we will be slow to anger when someone hurts our feelings. Instead of retaliating, we will “continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely.” (Col. 3:12, 13) Patience can also help us to make better decisions. Instead of being hasty or impulsive, we will take the time to research and evaluate the options that we have. For example, if we are looking for work, we might be inclined to accept the first offer we receive. However, if we are patient, we will take the time to consider the impact the job could have on our family and spiritual life. By being patient, we may avoid making a bad decision. w23.08 22 ¶8-9

If you feel discouraged by your sinful tendencies, thinking about the promise you made to Jehovah when you dedicated yourself to him will strengthen your resolve to fight against temptation. How? When you make a dedication to Jehovah, you disown yourself. This means that you say no to personal desires and ambitions that would displease Jehovah. (Matt. 16:24) So when you face a test, you will not need to spend time debating what to do. You will have already shut the door on all options except one​—faithfulness to Jehovah. You will remain firmly resolved to please Jehovah. You will in that sense be like Job. Even though he faced extremely difficult trials, he resolutely stated: “I will not renounce my integrity!”​—Job 27:5. w24.03 9 ¶6-7

Jehovah, “the God of love,” is with us! (2 Cor. 13:11) He is interested in us personally. We are convinced that we are “surrounded by His loyal love.” (Ps. 32:10) The more we meditate on how he has shown us his love, the more real he becomes and the closer we feel to him. We can approach him freely and tell him how much we need his love. We can share all our worries with him, confident that he understands and that he is eager to help us. (Ps. 145:19) Just as we are drawn to a warm fire on a cold day, we are drawn to Jehovah’s warm love. Although Jehovah’s love is powerful, it is also tender. So welcome Jehovah’s warm love in your life. And may we all respond to his love by exclaiming: “I love Jehovah”!​—Ps. 116:1. w24.01 31 ¶19-20