Hey!! Yes, I know it has been a while but I am back! I needed some time to reflect and analyze ME!! It is not too often that a person will admit, yeah I am the problem or it is not always the other party. Sheesh!! That could be a hard pill to swallow but I managed to get it down.
Now, I want to share my reflections and reveal some of the most inner conversations that I had with God. My hope is that by reading my blogs you will not only heal in the most uncomfortable places but also prepare for your future, your promises, and your goals.
One of the most intimate conversations I had with God was about love and before I dive in I want to challenge your thinking.
Define love. Like really take a moment and think about what love is to you. What does it look like? How does it feel? What does it mean?
In order to give real love, we must first understand it. I can recall a moment a few years ago when a friend asked me to define love. At the time I was stumped and I really did not have an answer other than trying to explain what I thought love looked like based on what I felt like I never received.
Allow me to be transparent. My personal experience with love has not always been a great one. A lot of ups and downs, uncertainty, tears, broken family, relationships, and friendships. Those experiences were created by unrealistic expectations.
It was not until God revealed 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. (NASB)
Yes, this is a popular and most recited bible scripture but have you dissected it to understand and apply it?
To give real love we must first understand it and be the first recipient. This is how God clarified it for me.
Everything that love is we should practice and become. That is where love starts, self-love is the best love. Once we get to that point of loving ourselves the way love is described and defined in those verses we will:
- Stop looking for love in other people and things
- Be able to ultimately love others
- Identify love
- Not be afraid
- Represent real love
I had to learn to love myself. My unrealistic expectations from people were driven by the root of lacking self-love. I had stopped blaming others for mishaps and took self-accountability. The feeling and acceptance, which comes along with the love, that I was yearning for had to start with me. Although I am not perfect I am better. When people recognize the love I represent and often smile and thank God because it took some time.
I urge you to read Corinthians 13:4-8 daily and practice self-love. I am now able to love and be loved for real because:
- I love God and myself
- I know what love is
- I know what love looks like
- I know how love should feel
1corinthians 13:4-8, will get you all the way together… #unconditionallove #loveneverfails