LOVE

“My command is this: love each other as I have loved you.” John 15:12

All you gotta do today is love.

As a writer of romance, I focus on love a lot. It’s a fun topic, and there are so many stories that can be built around it.

But in real life as well, love really is the answer. To everything. Think about it. The Bible talks about love as being the strongest force of all. Even the Beatles chipped in with “all you need is love.”

Cranky coworker? Love her. Difficult spouse? Love him. Wayward child? Overbearing boss? Love them.

Loving people doesn’t mean being a doormat. It means choosing to react with kindness, and yes, even prayer, towards those people who are less than kind to you. Love is the most powerful weapon in your arsenal. It can break down walls, heal wounds, and change hearts. Here are just a few of its powers:

Love Diminishes Fear
Choosing love is a surefire way to douse the flame of anxiety. God loves us perfectly, and through Jesus, forgives us completely. Because you are unconditionally loved, you are free to love in return without fear, Yes, they can refuse to return your love, or even hate you, but you are grounded in the truth that you are worthy, valued, and accepted in God’s eyes.

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18

Love Diminishes Stress
I am not a patient person and my “hurry-up” attitude creates stress. But if we slow down and LOVE, then we will take the time for the slow-moving toddler with little steps, or the cashier who is having trouble ringing up our groceries. Love is patient… 1 Corinthians 13:4a

Love is Good For Your Health
Because a loving attitude lets go of past grievances, there’s no chance for bitterness and anger to build up in us. We all know what it does to our heart and body, when we hold onto all of that negative emotion. Love… keeps no record of wrongs. – 1 Corinthians 13:5

Love Gives You a Guide to Living
Not sure how to proceed next in your… Marriage? Job? On that difficult phone call with your sister? Fulfilling your hours as a parent volunteer at the concession? React with a loving heart in everything you do. You can’t go wrong that way! Do everything in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14

A friend of mine with a difficult mother says we are all victims of victims. Remembering that has helped me to see people in a different light when they are grumpy or say hurtful things. And we are all grieving something. The loss of a loved one. The loss of a job. The loss of our health. We’re all longing for someone to love us.

So go out there today and spread some love!

We love because he first loved us. – 1 John 4:19

Blessings,
Pam