Designed to love 

May 15, 2024

Ever had a situation where you’ve been betrayed over and over by the same person? Add on the fact that maybe in front of others, they treated you in a great way and then when everyone isn’t around, they completely transform. Perhaps you’ve even confronted the person to try to see if you’ve offended them in some way and they deny it or avoid the conversation. 

Sometimes for those of us who are people pleasers, this can stand in the way towards personal progression. I am one of those people who feels emotions more intensely than most. I value relationships and interactions with others. When there seems to be a rift or some awkward exchange with someone, I tend to overthink and want to fix things. I try to aim to keep friendships long term.

Unfortunately, not everyone in our lives is meant to stay in all our chapters. Some are here for a season or two, some longer, and some a lifetime. People change, priorities rearrange, and life goes on. We cannot stay stuck in those feelings or the what-ifs. We must embrace this reality and let go.

Although people leave our current point in life, we must still love them. I’ve cried over lost friendships and people changing. I let that create roots of unwanted bitterness and resentment build in my heart. And when you get to that point, it can be hard to function spiritually. It becomes harder to pray and to feel God’s presence.

You see, God is a god of love. He loved us so much He sent his son to die for our sins so we can have eternal life. That requires an immense type of love! Can you imagine giving up your child for someone who might not love you back? It’s overwhelming to think that God loved us so much He would do that. And that’s the type of love we must radiate towards each other.

Oh it’s not an easy task sometimes. It can be so difficult to love someone who keeps pushing us down. But if God loved them so much to let His son die for them like he did for us, we must also love them with the same passion. Following God requires us to die to ourselves and flesh. We must carry our cross and radiate the love of God as his children

The Bible repeats so many times the word love. Including the fact that the first thing we must do is love God with all our heart and then we must love each other. This is the second greatest commandment. Also remember when we love others, we offer them grace and forgiveness. If we do not love others, we cannot progress in life nor can we reach the kingdom of God.

The next time you struggle to love someone, take a breath. And ask God to help you love and see that person through His eyes. This will not only change the direction of your life, it’ll transform others around you. Love is a fruit of the Spirit. Our testimonies are very important to showcase the fruits we were given. We can save other people by the way we act and talk.

Since we are designed to love, remember this will be a difficult task at times. The enemy doesn’t want us to reach the kingdom of God. So he will throw darts at us. Be vigilant. Make sure you don’t let misunderstandings get in the way of respecting and loving one another.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16♥ KJV