When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.  1 Corinthians 13:11 

We recently vacationed in Mexico, staying at an all-inclusive resort that had everything we needed right there, so we never had to leave. Most of the week, we spent our time at the adult pool. Why? Because children weren’t allowed! They were all at the water park. One day, we decided to check out the water park, and I was quickly reminded why we preferred the adult pool. Kids were screaming, parents were screaming, children were getting lost and parents were running around in panic and frustration. Not to mention the 95-degree water—perhaps warmed by the sun, but probably not, if you know what I mean.  

Children are undoubtedly a blessing. However, they can also be the opposite of everything Paul described about love in verses 4–7. They are impatient, unkind, envious of their friends’ toys and boastful about their own. They are rude and completely self-centered. They only care about themselves and resent anything that doesn’t benefit them. And wow, can they be irritable. Sound familiar? 

Paul was giving the Corinthians a clear lesson on how to grow up and stop acting like babies. In verse 11, he says, essentially, Yes, when I was a child, I did all these things—but when I became a man, it was time to put away the pacifier and the blanket, tear off the diaper and start eating solid food like grown-ups! 

Now, if your first thought is, Wow, those Corinthians must have been terrible! you’ve missed the point. How many times have you acted like a baby because something didn’t go exactly how you wanted it to? You’re sitting in traffic, late for work and someone cuts you off, so you flip them the bird. Or your flight got canceled after waiting in the airport for eight hours. Maybe it’s not patience or kindness that’s your struggle. Perhaps it’s resentment because you didn’t get that bonus or promotion. Or maybe you lost your temper and yelled at your kids because they wouldn’t listen.

Maybe you are super patient, kind and not irritable—but you love boasting about all the perfect things in your life on “Fakebook” or “Instacrap.” Or perhaps you take your authority at work or home a little too far with strong, unkind words. 

Bottom line: we can’t get out of our own way. We walk around like big babies—wallowing in our messes, throwing tantrums and making scenes. Meanwhile, who’s watching? Our kids, our coworkers, our friends, our families. Everyone. And honestly, it’s easier to sit in our messes and continue the same patterns we’ve developed than it is to change. It might be stinky and gross, but it’s comfortable and familiar. 

James summarizes it well in James 4:1: “What causes fights and quarrels among you?” Why are you arguing? Why are you irritable? Why are you mean, impatient, envious, boastful and rude? Then he continues, “Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” Essentially, James says the reason you fight and argue is because you’re not getting what you want—just like a toddler who isn’t satisfied with her toy, tries to take her friend’s toy, gets rejected and then kicks and screams until something else appeases her.

When we turn our eyes away from God’s truth, we begin to revert to our old habits. When things don’t go as we think they should, instead of leaning into the Lord, we lean into our own understanding. Our human nature tends to be impatient, unkind, rude, self-seeking, boastful, jealous and proud. But as we mature in our faith, we give up those childish tendencies and begin to prioritize love, patience, kindness and humility. We stop looking inward and start looking outward. We put others’ needs before our own. 

Just this week, I’ve been guilty of prioritizing my needs over my family’s. I wanted things my way and thought it was the only way, which made me feel angry, frustrated and pouty. Then I realized that no one else in the family even cared about this thing I was making such a big deal about. I was totally making a mountain out of a molehill. 

What areas in your life have been challenging lately, causing you to act childish in your faith instead of like a grown woman? Have you received bad news? Lost patience with your kids? Said harsh things to your spouse? Are you feeling envious or jealous of a friend? Or have you been dishonest about something that has snowballed into more dishonesty? 

Like the Corinthians, we need to constantly remember what Jesus did for us on the cross. When we take our eyes off the true prize, we focus on ourselves and forget the gospel truth. Love God. Love People. That is our mission. When we love God and love others, there is no room for impatience, bitterness, resentment, jealousy or pride. 

So, ladies, stand firm and act like women! May God will use you in powerful ways. May He guide you along the right path and may His love sustain you through whatever lies ahead. God never promised it would be easy, but He did promise you would never be alone. Amen