Love: Loving Others

Many of you are probably familiar with 1 Corinthians 13 because it is the “love” chapter in the bible. It is read at many weddings because it is a true depiction of what real love is. As girls, we are drawn to love and we want to feel loved by everyone. If you have ever experienced being truly loved by family or a spouse, you know and understand that there is nothing like it. But, when we do not feel loved by someone, our instinct is to figure out why and fix it. A lot of times we think, “what did I do wrong?” or “what is wrong with me?” It is natural.

However, there are two sides to that scenario. Someone is causing the other person to feel unloved, right? Let me (Savannah) ask you this: Have you ever been that person? Have you ever caused someone to feel unloved? If you’re honest, your answer will be yes. As sinners, we have all caused someone to feel unloved, one way or another. Maybe you have talked about someone behind their back and they found out. Maybe you have called someone a bad name. Maybe you have been inpatient with someone, etc. There are so many different scenarios where you could cause someone to feel unloved. Sometimes we do it and we don’t even realize it.

Love is something that EVERYONE needs to experience. Also, remember that love is a choice. You have to be deliberate and choose to love others. Lets face it, not everyone you know and come into contact with is easy to love. However, you can choose to love each and every one of those people. It may not be easy, but it could make a huge difference in someone’s life. Without love, you do not have much.

So, how do we go from causing people to feel unloved to making sure people to feel loved?  

The answer is in 1 Corinthians 13 4-8: 

^" Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

Here are some ways you can apply this to your everyday life…

·      Love is patient…ignoring it when someone does something that irritates you. Just let it go.

·      Love is kind…Simply smiling to a stranger or even paying for someone’s coffee behind you in line at Starbucks.

·      Love does not envy…Be happy for your friend when she gets a new purse or even a simple new outfit. How easy it is to covet what others have?

·      Love does not boast...Don’t brag when you are the only one to get an A on your test, or when you get a promotion at work. It’s ok to be happy, but don’t brag about it.

·      Love is not proud…Don’t be too proud of something you accomplished and not notice that your friend accomplished the same thing. It’s easy to focus on yourself, but love others by noticing their achievements.

·      Love does not dishonor others…Don’t tell your mom and dad you can’t come to a family dinner because you have to study for a test, when you’re really going to a movie with a friend. Lying can tear relationships apart.

·      Love is not self-seeking…Focus on others around you, instead of yourself. It is easy to have selfish motives when helping someone, but focus on their needs instead of your own.

·      Love is not easily angered…Have a gentle spirit each day. Don’t fly off the handle at every little thing. Tell your roommate in a gentle way that it bothers you when she leaves her dished in the sink. If you don’t talk about it, it will build up and you will burst.

·      Love keeps no record of wrongs…Don’t hold grudges. When someone does something that hurts your feelings, forgive and forget. Don’t bring it back up 6 months later if another fight occurs.

·      Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth…Don’t purposely hurt a friend because they hurt you. Revenge is something that will tear relationships apart. Find joy in building people up and encouraging them. Always try to build others up.

·      Love always protects...Protect the hearts of your friends. Treat others how you want to be treated.

·      Love always trusts…Unless someone gives you a reason to not trust them, trust what they say. When someone feels like they are trusted, they feel loved.

·      Love always hopes and perseveres…I think these two go hand in hand because you should always be hopeful in your relationships and not give up. When someone feels that you believe in them and they see that you’re investing your time in them, they will feel loved. Take your time and give it to others.

See girls? Loving others is something that you can improve in every single day. You can put these different things to action and change your relationships in a big way. When you begin loving everyone around you, God will show up big time and in turn, you will feel loved.

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John 13:34

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."

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Savannah