Girl, love has everything to do with it. It is the most important of all the commandments. It is mentioned 538 times in the (NIV) bible. Have you ever struggled with love? It can be so complicated and just downright hard sometimes. It can also be breathtaking and amazing! Love heals all wounds and is so important for us all to receive. God has really been using this time to redefine what love truly is for me. He spoke to me with Corinthians 13:4-7 and 1 John 3: 18-20.
I have been praying for God to adjust my heart, mind, and soul when it comes to love. I want to love others like Jesus. Like real love, fully known with flaws and all, kind of love. I am learning that when asking God that, you have to go through a season of being treated like Jesus too. You gotta love people who hurt you and keep loving them. Have you ever had to pray for God to help you love someone when you really want to curse them out? Yeah, but then I remind myself, Mandy, that’s not who you are anymore. I am still praying about and working on my anger, my need to react, and have the best comeback. I wrote down 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 and then found a breakdown with verses to help me incorporate God’s love in my life. I wrote them out and made it a practice to say it repeatedly through the day but at very least each morning and night. I also included a prayer. I strongly encourage you to print or write out verses that resonate with you. Say it over and over for the issue of your heart. Loving others and receiving love can be tricky—all the hangups and baggage we all carry. I am truly seeing stuff this season that I have carried for years and had no clue. Isn’t it amazing how God can take what the devil tried to use to hurt you and use it for your purpose and victory! It’s crazy to think that God gave us a choice to worship him. But it’s because he knew that love, in its purest form, only exists where free will is. He wants to love you in the purest form!! Let that sink in. The king of kings chose you and has waited for you to choose him. Every day his mercies are made new. Every day, every hour, every minute, he is chasing you. Wanting to bring you closer to right-minded thinking and love. Will you accept it?
Heavenly Father, we come to you today in search of real love, agape love! We thank you, Father God, for you see every part of us, and you love us anyway. Father, thank you for your amazing grace that covers our damage. Thank you for leading us on your path of truth and love. We release anything holding us back or blocking us from basking in your love and presence today. We thank you for the open door to you anytime we mess up. All we need to do is come you, Papa. To trust that you will take care of it all. Thank you, father, for anyone reading this prayer. Father, let your peace and presence carry them today like never before. May they feel your love and choose you, Lord. Do a work in their heart, mind, and soul as it concerns love. Father, help us fully accept your love and grace, not because of anything we did, but because you love us. Thank you, Lord, for redefining love for us. In your son, Jesus, mighty name. Amen.
1 John 3:18-20 My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality. It’s also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.