The Power of Love: Giving and Receiving
I recently read a story about a couple, Chike and Ada, who had been married for several years. They had faced their fair share of challenges—financial struggles, disagreements, and health issues. Yet, through it all, their love for each other only seemed to grow stronger.
There was a particular moment during a tough period in their lives that stuck with me. Chike had lost his job, and Ada, who had her own small business, had to shoulder most of the financial burden. Despite the stress, Ada never once complained. Instead, she supported Chike in every way she could—encouraging him, praying with him, and reminding him of his worth.
Chike, on the other hand, was feeling the weight of not being able to provide like he once did. But one day, as Ada was struggling to balance her work and care for him, Chike surprised her with a simple, heartfelt note. In it, he thanked her for loving him through the hard times and assured her that, no matter the circumstances, his love for her would never fade.
Their story is a beautiful reminder that love is more than just a feeling; it’s a choice. It’s a decision to keep showing up for each other, no matter the challenges life throws your way.
Love Is a Choice, Not Just a Feeling
Love isn’t always about the excitement or butterflies we feel at the beginning of a relationship. True love is about making a conscious choice to love, especially when it’s hard. It’s choosing to care for someone when they need you most, even when it doesn’t feel easy.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 describes love as patient, kind, and enduring. It’s not about expecting perfection, but about accepting each other’s flaws and choosing to love through them. When we love, we reflect God’s love for us, which is unconditional and never wavers.
The Power of Giving Love
Love is about giving—not just receiving. It’s about showing up for the ones you love, even when it’s tough. Whether it’s offering a kind word, a listening ear, or a helping hand, love is often found in the little things we do for others.
Jesus said in John 15:12, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” Jesus showed us the greatest example of love by sacrificing Himself for us, even when we didn’t deserve it. He calls us to love in the same way—sacrificially and without conditions.
The Power of Receiving Love
Sometimes, it’s harder to receive love than to give it. We might feel unworthy or uncomfortable with vulnerability. But God’s love for us is not something we need to earn. It’s freely given, no matter our past or present.
Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Even when we were at our lowest, God loved us. We don’t have to do anything to prove ourselves worthy of His love; we simply need to receive it.
Why Love Is So Powerful
Love Heals
Love has the power to heal broken hearts, wounded spirits, and even physical ailments. It’s in the comforting embrace, the words of encouragement, and the acts of kindness that we find restoration. Love has the power to bring peace and comfort in ways nothing else can.
Love Builds Relationships
The foundation of any strong relationship is love. Love is what holds families, friendships, and marriages together through thick and thin. When you love someone, you invest in them—emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Love strengthens relationships and helps them endure even the toughest times.
Love Reflects God’s Heart
Love is one of the most powerful ways we can reflect God’s heart to the world. 1 John 4:8 reminds us, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” When we love others, we show them who God is and how much He cares for them.
Conclusion: Love Changes Everything
The story of Chike and Ada is a powerful reminder that love isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it. Whether it’s in marriage, friendship, or family, love is what holds us together and helps us overcome the challenges life brings.
When we choose to love, even when it’s hard, we reflect God’s character and bring light to the world around us. Love changes everything—it heals, builds, and strengthens.
Prayer:
“Lord, thank You for the love You have for me. Help me to love others the way You love me—unconditionally, sacrificially, and without expectation. Teach me to give love freely and to receive it with an open heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
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