Embracing Love Even When It’s Hard

This month’s theme has been LOVE. We’ve had a lot of changes in our family, and I will say that sometimes LIFE has been HARD and we lose our FOCUS. This means that sometimes we lose sight of needing to show LOVE to people who are being difficult.

A Love That Never Fails Devotional

And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. – Luke 6:31

We should always treat others the way we want to be treated. We give respect to get respect, we are kind and expect kindness in return, but what happens when the other person isn’t being respectful or kind? It is easy to start going tit for tat and treating them the way they are treating you, but is that what we are really supposed to be doing?

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. – Matthew 22:39

Hmm… ouch! The BIBLE never says that we are to LOVE them differently, but we are to love them as we LOVE ourselves… even when it’s HARD!

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

LOVE is not always warm and tingling, it doesn’t keep score of the wrongs being done, and it keeps going even when it is HARD. LOVE isn’t what we feel in the moment… it is a series of small decisions that we make over time.

It doesn’t keep bringing up the past or trying to punish you for past mistakes. LOVE chooses to believe the best, even when your actions might speak otherwise. LOVE is still there even when you are imperfect. This is the LOVE that GOD shows us and the LOVE that we are to show to others.

We need to show others the LOVE that GOD shows to us, even when they aren’t being respectful, kind, or loving. Having patience with those we LOVE can go a long way to help when things seem a little off in your relationships with others.

When you find that LOVE is hard, try taking a few deep breaths and reflect on the circumstances. Try to look at things as if you were the other person and see if there is something different you could be doing to show LOVE to them. Remember the LOVE that GOD shows you, even when you probably don’t deserve it and see if you can find a way to overlook someone else imperfections just a little.

I pray this helps someone!

God Bless!

When LOVE isn’t really LOVE

There is an important note about relationships that are toxic and dangerous. All relationships have times that are difficult and painful, when we have to choose to STAY even when we want to LEAVE. That’s normal because we are all HUMAN and we all make MISTAKES.

The difference is when someone keeps bringing up the past to hurt you, when they continue to punish you for mistakes that you’ve tried to fix. If they are keeping detailed records of all of your wrongs, that is a BIG warning sign. If they are happy to see you FAIL and STRUGGLE, that’s another warning sign. If they use LOVE as an excuse for their behavior, then you need to question their LOVE.

If you ever feel UNSAFE in a relationship or you are being abused, then you need to get help ASAP. I know it’s hard, but there are a lot of resources that can help you. You just need to ASK! I’ve been there, and I truly know how hard this situation can be and how emotional it is, but you need to LOVE yourself and your family!

There is NEVER an excuse for abuse, whether it is physical, mental, or emotional abuse, and the abuser needs to be held accountable for their actions. Sometimes it is a TOUGH LOVE that is needed in these situations, and you need to make others aware of the problem so they can help to fix it.

This can also be said for people who are dealing with addictions… they may need a little TOUGH LOVE to get them in a position to get the help they need. You are not ALONE, so please reach out to someone who can help!