Love
COVID-19 has made life difficult for many. Even before COVID-19 people had problems. Things came up that caused difficulty. Navigating tough situations is something that is generally viewed as undesirable because of the negative emotions that come with it.
Did you know love can enable you to change this? The right and appropriate use of love can help all of our relationships. The relationship with your family, friends, coworkers, enemies and yourself. When we approach our relationships with love, we are reminded that we are not alone. Being in a tough situation is much better when we know we are not in it alone.
1 Corinthians 13:2 says “If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love, I would have nothing.”
Move Knowledge to Love
Mere knowledge of knowing helpful tactics to navigate difficult situations will still fall short. Although you may be able to make some choices that lighten your load, there is more. The more that is gained is the love we build with friends, family, enemies, yourself and God.
Friends & Family: Most people would say loving your friends and family are the easiest relationships to show love. There are others who may not have a family they would consider to be easy to love. Choose to intentionally show love to your family today. It could be as simple as sitting with your child and reading or going on a hike with your spouse.
Enemies: Loving your enemies is not something that comes natural. When we choose to show these people love, we are releasing the burden of bitterness, hate and anger. Allowing ourselves free from these things will enable us to navigate difficult situations with much more clarity. Depending on the type of enemy and the nature of the relationship, how to show love may vary. Use your best judgement on what may be appropriate. You can use this as a guide: Am I making a choice for their betterment or am I making a choice driven by my own anger, bitterness, etc?
Yourself: Loving yourself is the hardest one to do for many. We know ourselves better than any of our friends and family. We know the good (though often dismissed) and the bad (which we often attempt to hide). Take time to acknowledge what is good about you. Write a list of reasons you love being you. This is not a comparison list with others, this is solely a list that showcases your highlights. This list will help you come to a place where you can love yourself.
God: Love comes from God. We are loved by God. God is the source of true love. If having a relationship with God is something you have done for a long time, seek a freshness in this relationship. Perhaps this is something thats new or hasn’t taken root yet. A great place to start is to ask God what love is and what its supposed to look like in your life.
When we choose to live out of love, we live in peace and freedom. We are able to tackle problems much bigger than ourselves and put aside fear as we make our way forward. I encourage you to love strongly today.
