LEARN TO TRUST/LOVE GOD, LEARN TO TRUST/LOVE OTHERS

                                            FROM PAIN TO PEACE

         LEARN TO TRUST/LOVE GOD, LEARN TO TRUST/LOVE  OTHERS

Luke 10:27  And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

 Stories of trauma and pain were part of my normal day as a therapist. In education, I hear some of the stories about the kids that I work with. I hear about hurt that starts in early childhood for some and continuing throughout life for others. We all have our own stories of how trauma impacts on our ability to love. Have you ever wondered how early pain or trauma affect our capacity to love? And to us who have been seriously hurt, is it possible to be so damaged emotionally that we actually can't love again?

Houdmann (2012) explains "Agape"  is a connection through the spirit. A true manifestation of this requires a relationship with Christ. For without Him, agape love isn't exhibited in its truest form. We, as humans, can't reach this level alone. We need our Heavenly Father's Spirit in us, working through us. "The Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23). Only through that Spirit can we reach this goal.
But, above everything else that is demonstrated in God's Word, it's important to keep in mind that LOVE/ROMANCE is an ACTION. It's not passive, and it'snot a feeling. It's a VERB. It requires you to do something in order to bring it to pass. It also requires that you put the other person's wants and desires above your own. Whenever you need a reminder, go back and read 1 Corinthians 13. And remember, you don't have to do it alone. God's Spirit will work through you. All you have to do is ask.

How many pieces of your heart can you lose and still retain the ability to deeply and fully love? The answer is not as much as you think because the more break ups, the more scars and the more scars, the harder it is to open up next time. How ironic, our society is always drawn to watch great love stories but are we are often too cowardly to write ourselves into the script. How about you? Do you have the courage to open your heart and really love? You, THROUGH GOD'S LOVE AND DIRECTION,  get to choose the level of intimacy in your relationships. I hope you choose love.

ASSIGNMENTS TO GROW TRUST AND LOVE:

1. Start A Gratitude Practice: The best way to fill up your our-love tank is to practice being grateful for God's blessings in our lives. By doing this we will automatically attract more good into our lives and God will be able to bless us more.

2. Release Expectations: Remember, happiness is an inside job and comes from making conscious choice everyday to do so. Let others off the hook regarding making you happy. A loving relationship with God is the first step in letting go of others "making you happy". Set an intention to release all expectation and outcomes and allow God's love to flow in and strongly affect  our relationships.

3.Let Love In: Once er release the blocks to self-love by God's grace. let love in and allow it to flow freely througourh our life.! As we start to implement these tips into life,we will start to see subtle changes naturally occur. The greatest love you we will find and experience is when we truly fall in love with God and resulting in loving yourself as Christ sees us.

FATHER GOD - THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR LOVE AND BLESSINGS THAT YOU GIVE TO US. HELP US TO OPEN UP OUR HEART, EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE BEEN PAINFULLY HURT. WITH YOUR GUIDANCE AND LOVE FOR US,  WE CAN FOCUS LESS ON OUR HURT AND BEING A BLESSING TO OTHERS IN OUR RELATIONSHIPS. HELP US TO REALIZE YOU ARE THE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF LOVE. AMEN

 

The Holy Bible, New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Houdmann, M. (2012) What should be the Christian View of Romance? Got Question Ministries: Colorado Springs, CO.