Love is a Choice
When someone says they love you, how can you know it's true? Many people in relationships today walk away so easily. Often people confuse lust for love but When the lust settles, people then see clearly if the person they were joining themselves with for comfort was really the person they were meant to be with. The hard part about that is then you have to deal with a break up and someone’s heart is always on the line. There is a better way and that is through understanding what love is. The definition of love is found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Love is patient
Love is kind
Love does not envy
Love does not boast
Love is not proud
Love does not dishonor others
Love is not self-seeking
Love is not easily angered
Love keeps no record of wrongs
Love does not delight in evil
Love rejoices with the truth
Love always protects
Love always trusts
Love always hopes
Love always perseveres
Love never fails.
If you are practicing any of these qualities then you are showing love. Love is hard work. It’s easier to walk away but imagine if Jesus did that. If love was a feeling then Jesus would not have gone to the cross because He sure didn’t feel like being crucified. However, it was His love for mankind that led him to the cross and it was love that kept him there. God wants us to love well. Even when other’s are not loving well. Practice love because it will bring life to your body. You are not responsible for other peoples actions or lack of love but you are responsible for yourself and as you learn to love well, you will find that life pours out of you and you become a vessel of peace.
By no means should anyone stay in an abusive relationship. If you are being abused physically or verbally, there is help. Look back at the definition and if you are experiencing the opposite, then you may be in an abusive relationship and may need to re-think why you remain. Love is beautiful, it can be painful too, but true love will always bring hope and healing even when things are the hardest.
By Melissa Anne Hathaway LMHC, PhD
© The Vine Christian Counseling LLC
If you are in an abusive relationship you can reach out for counseling or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233