7. How do we show love when undergoing trialsome experiences?

⁷ First Corinthians 13:4 states: “Love is long-suffering and kind.” What does this require of us? When provoked, oppressed, irritated or misrepresented, how should we react? The long-suffering person avoids hasty action or emotional outbursts. He will patiently bear up under trying circumstances, doing so in the hope that those responsible for the unpleasantness will be helped thereby to change their ways. For the same reason, we should be kind, not rough, harsh or hateful, but tender, mild, friendly and helpful. (Compare Romans 12:20, 21; 1 Peter 2:18-23.) Because of genuine concern for fellow believers, we should gladly put up with their idiosyncrasies and any weaknesses of conscience that they might have. We should not insist on our rights but refrain from using our Christian freedom to the full. Thus we will not stumble others, giving them an excuse to forsake true worship.​—Rom. 14:1-4, 19-21.

12. What would prove that we are not keeping “account of the injury” done to us?

¹² Moreover, in harmony with the Bible’s description of love, we should “not keep account of the injury” done to us. (1 Cor. 13:5) It would be unloving to harbor grudges and to review just how certain ones have wronged us, as if we were keeping a scorecard. The past should be pushed aside, and kindness should not be withheld from those who may have done us injury.​—Prov. 20:22; 24:29; 25:21, 22.

“LOVE NEVER FAILS”

15. What assurance does the Bible give us that true love will never be wanting?

¹⁵ Besides being a surpassing way, the way of love will never end or be lacking. This is nicely drawn to our attention by the following words: “It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.”​—1 Cor. 13:7, 8.

16. How does love ‘bear all things’?

¹⁶ In the sense of ‘bearing all things,’ true love is not quickly thrust aside, dampened or abandoned. It is not overly sensitive nor does it quickly conclude that there is no hope of seeing any improvement in others. If we are loving, we will continue to do good toward our fellowmen despite their lack of gratitude.​—Matt. 5:44-48.

17. In what sense does love ‘believe all things’?

¹⁷ How are we to understand the words, ‘love believes all things’? This certainly does not mean that we will be gullible, failing, for example, to discern what is truly bad. Rather, it means that love is not suspicious. Hence, even though our spiritual brothers might do and say things that hurt us, we will not immediately conclude that they wanted to injure us. When observing the conduct of others, we will not at once think the worst but strive to view it in the best light possible. We will give our Christian brothers the benefit of the doubt, not imputing evil designs or motives to them.​—Eccl. 7:21, 22.

18. When it comes to hope and endurance, what will love enable us to do?

¹⁸ Similarly, love hopes that things will turn out well. This is not to say that love is naïve. But, rather, it looks for, yes, prays for the best outcome. Love is optimistic. Therefore, when calling on people in unresponsive territory, for example, we can do so with the hope that, in time, some will turn to the truth. (Compare Romans 9:1-3.) Also, a believing mate rightly hopes that the unbeliever will eventually accept the “good news.” (1 Pet. 3:1, 2) While love helps us to hope for the best, it also enables us to endure all kinds of persecutions, trials, abuse and misrepresentation.

19. Why will we never regret doing the loving thing?

¹⁹ In any given situation, our being loving will always help. We will never regret that we did the loving thing. Never has love, true self-sacrificing love, made a bad circumstance worse.

9. Because love “does not behave indecently,” what does this require of us?

⁹ Furthermore, love “does not behave indecently.” (1 Cor. 13:5) When we have genuine love, we hate all forms of badness. But more is involved. The expression ‘not behaving indecently’ can also mean ‘not being rude.’ (See The New English Bible.) In all relations, love produces right conduct. The loving person does not look down on the poor and needy, shunning their company. He does not restrict his association to just a certain select few. (Compare James 2:1-9.) Decent behavior also involves showing regard for proper authority. If we have true love, we will respect the person and possessions of others.