“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

- 1 Corinthians 13:13

One of the most pleasing attributes we could set before the Lord is opening our hearts to loving others, and loving them above our own interests; feelings, or judgments. Yes, only God is capable of unconditional love for ALL, but what He expects of us is nothing short of attainable. He encourages us to put down our pride and open our hearts to loving one another - despite circumstances - as Christ did for each one of us. And through scripture, we are given a number of ways to not only practice but to apply these ways of love.

How can I apply love? And how do I love others who do not deserve it?

There are many ways of expressing love, some more tangible than others; gift giving, service, or a simple hug. But I believe the most profound ways of expressing love are in ways that cannot always be seen; by compassion, grace, and forgiveness [to name a few].

By compassion, you resist viewing others by what they’re lacking. You can love them [where they are] by allowing your heart to become gentle to their circumstances; remembering there is far more beyond the surface of their exterior; actions, choices.    

By grace, you resist judgment. No matter the issues lying between you and another, you can show love by simply resisting the urge to act, judge, or condemn. Scripture tells us, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs…” [Ephesians 4:29].

By forgiveness, you resist harboring resentment. I believe this is one of the toughest acts of love, as it has always been partnered with forgetfulness; as the saying goes “forgive and forget”. But I disagree with their partnership. We cannot always unsee, unhear or undo actions that have been revealed to us, therefore we cannot always forget. But we can forgive. It does not mean you agree with what’s been done. But you do not allow it to control you. It’s an act of love that even you can benefit from.

Though God lovingly demands we “give in secret” [Matthew 6:4], He rewards those who love wholeheartedly. So by showing these acts of love to others, you benefit, just as much. When we grow to love others, we are equally growing in our own spiritual walk with Christ. It’s a beautiful development, spiritually and emotionally, that can build an unshakeable - unfathomable - faith.

Begin by surrounding yourself with others who are like-minded, desiring that same faith and don’t give up hope. It takes baby steps to move forward with love, especially when we feel wronged. But there is a purpose and destiny God has planned for you, and if we resist love, we resist that plan unfolding. My prayer is that you open your hearts today, and choose love. And experience all that God has in store for you.

by Megan Snyder (Hope in Struggle Ambassador)