How to show Godly Love

How to show Godly love is something I am learning the hard way.   After years of broken hearts and dissolved relationships, Love is beginning to make since.  I was studying in 1 Corinthians Chapter 13, the “love chapter” in the bible and the light bulb stayed on.   Here is  a little bit from the chapter.

The apostle Paul goes into detail about how important love is in our daily lives and some of the evidences of true love in verses 4-7 of the chapter.  ”Love is patient; love is kind, does not envy, does not boast, and is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, is not self-seeking, and 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.”  

 Now it is easy to understand what Paul is saying in these verses but it is something entirely different to apply them in my life.  Using God’s word as my guide; here are 7 things I want to practice in my relationships going forward.

1-Be Patient.  I am really trying to practice an attitude of patience in all things so that it becomes part of me.  I want it to shine through in all my relationships.  I practice while stuck in traffic, waiting in line at grocery, the doctor or dentist office, or even waiting on hold while on the phone.   Patience is the hardest for me but I realize how important this is.  It also helps keep my blood pressure lower too!
2- Be Kind.  I am surprised how much kindness you receive in return when you show kindness toward others.  I need to be the one to show a spirit of kindness; not wait for it to be shown to me first.  Creates such a peaceful and productive environment!

3-Be Trusting and trustworthy.  If there is no trust in a relationship, there is no relationship. Period.   So I need to trust the one that truly matters to me and do away with any jealousies and mistrust.

4-Be Humble.  Pride is probably one of the biggest reasons for conflict.   We want to believe we are right or that they are just wrong and should do things my way the right way.   However, Jesus was the perfect example of humility.  Philippians 2:3 is a verse I need to  always remember.  “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than you.”

5-Be Respectful.  This is so important!   Respect their opinion or point of view, their privacy, and their personal space.  Also respect them in everything they do and who they are as a person.

6-Be Selfless.  No… Not selfish…selfless.  Less focus or attention on myself and put all my efforts and actions toward the other person’s needs or desires ahead of mine.  I am amazed how much joy and contentment I feel inside when I behave this way!

7-Be Honest.  In John 8:32 it says…“the Truth will set You free.”   If my priority is to always be truthful in everything I say or do, it comes full circle and creates trust between each other.   That is the best feeling in the world to have someone in your life you trust completely.  I trust God completely and I believe what He says in His word.  So I know in my heart, if I continue to develop these characteristics in my own life every day, I will experience “TRUE LOVE” with the person that He designed just for me.

Food for Thought

So what do you think?

How do you show Godly love to the one that matters the most?