Why You Should Choose Love When it’s Uncomfortable
It’s amazing how much you can learn from raising teenagers about choosing love.
Until recently I had forgotten how God provides the right words at the right time to help us raise them His way.
And in the process, He teaches us a thing or two….
My daughter, like many other teenage girls, has been dealing with various relationship issues.
Nothing significant, but enough to warrant a lesson on love.
And wouldn’t you know…. as we dug into our bible curriculum, God provided exactly what we needed.
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT
Sometimes love is not easy.
In fact, most of the time it’s not.
When people hurt us or ignore us, we don’t necessarily “feel” like being loving.
We want to fight back or get even.
But that’s not what God calls us to do.
While the world tells us to love when it “feels good”, God calls us to love in all circumstances.
We have a choice.
Why You Should Choose Love When It’s Uncomfortable
Love is a choice.
It requires patience and kindness with those who may be difficult.
It calls for celebrating with others when they get the position we wanted.
This type of love truly lets go of offenses and doesn’t carry them into the future.
It pushes through the hard and believes the best in others.
This type of love goes over and beyond.
Going through this exercise with my daughter was a powerful moment, not just for her, but for me as well.
It reminded me of the power of choosing love even when it’s uncomfortable.
This week I listened to a POWERFUL testimony by my precious friend, Shannon Geurin & her husband, John. Shannon talks about her infidelity in marriage and asks John about the hard times and why he stayed.
His response was amazing.
Love.
It sounded so simple, yet I understood the heart behind his words.
He uttered the very words God had spoken to my daughter and me that same morning….
Love is a choice.
Had John and Shannon not chosen the difficult path of choosing to love in the uncomfortable and hard times, they wouldn’t be experiencing the blessing of restoration and grace that they enjoy in their marriage today.
When we choose love in the midst of the hard, God shows up. There is a blessing awaiting us in those hard places.
Who do you need to choose to love today? Is there a strained relationship, someone difficult, or perhaps someone in need that could use your love today?
Friend, it could be that choice that makes all the difference. Choose love today and watch God move in ways you never imagined.
So good to be reminded that love is a choice, and often I’ve found my heart changed by actions, both intentional and uncomfortable, but the right thing to do. God honors our obedience, and we grow in our love for Him too, as we follow.
Love is a choice, and I think we spend a lifetime learning the depths of all it requires of us. Beautiful post!
Thanks for sharing Maree’s post and also a bit of Shannon’s story. Her testimony is so amazing.
Thank you for featuring my post and sharing about love. Shannon and her husband’s story sounds intriguing. I love to hear about when people choose to love.
This is beautiful! So very true as well, but oh so hard at times! But we are call to love and to be a light. If we hold on to unforgiveness or ideas of revenge then we are not being a light of Jesus. This is definitely something that we need God’s help with!
Blessings,
Amy
There are good things waiting in those hard places…I love that! You are a fabulous mom to walk with your daughter and really experience her pain with her. You are building a strong relationship that will continue to grow as she gets older! Thank you for this week’s link up! Merry Christmas to you and your family!!!