Posted: February 14, 2019
By: Janet A. Johnson
The definition of love, as a concept, is a term with varying thoughts, ideas, and highly debated opinions. Yet, what exactly is love? Has its worth been reduced to mere fleeting emotions? What are the components of love? What sustains it? How exactly do we define it?
One major challenge many
Perhaps, what it will take to mend society’s
First, let’s consider this! We shouldn’t limit love to people in relationships and marriages. Instead, love should be understood as something that is expected to be expressed to all. I’m talking about the basic essence of human love; agape love. This is the kind of love is selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional. When we
The fact is, love goes beyond just emotions; emotions oftentimes cause us to be fickle. It is also beyond sex! The truth is the definition of love is derived through God, our creator’s character, and He has placed in us the ability to share
Love is not hasty. It waits. Love understands the importance of time and doesn’t rush the other. It expresses itself and is patient until it is reciprocated. It doesn’t rush into a decision or expect its recipient to respond in haste. Love is slow to anger and patient in times of wrongs and errors. Patience is a virtue, a deliberate act that is cultivated. It does not give up easily, it looks at another person and says “even though you’re being unreasonable right now, I will be patient with you. I will wait until you regain reason. Furthermore, I will keep loving you even though it is hard for me. I will wait for the right time to do things with you.”
Love is good and does not seek to hurt, even after it has been hurt itself.
Love gives freely and liberally, not expecting anything in return. Giving is not just restricted to material gifts and could also mean giving
Giving, as a character, is not in response to its recipient’s actions but in response to needs. Love doesn’t say “I would buy you this pair of shoes because you gave me a bag last week.” Instead, it says, “you need a new pair of shoes, I can afford to give you one
Now, imagine you had friends that would treat you within the characteristics of love! Let’s go a bit further. Imagine you are in a relationship with someone that would extend the character of love. What do you think about this idea? How does it make you feel? If this “floats your boat,” you can begin with a plan to develop or enhance this “character of love” mindset and put it into action. While you are at it consider looking at True Love: 3 Critical Character Traits and add them to your love life toolkit. We could all use a little help in this area. The point is to let it begin with you! You will also need to be patient, kind and loving to yourself as you go through this process of change. The fact is change is not easy…it takes time. The key is to keep trying and grow daily in love.
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
1 John 4:7–8
Reference: 1 Corinthians 13
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Hi, I am Janet A Johnson a Management Consultant, Life Coach and Holistic Health Advocate. “Life with Jan” is dedicated to providing useful information and tips on how to navigate life's challenges and find ways to enjoy the best that life has to offer. We cannot always control what happens from day to day; no matter how we plan things, the unexpected can happen. Many of us know and accept this as a reality but we don't apply this mindset to our journey through life. Yet, how we navigate through the ebbs and flow, the potholes and highways, the valley and mountain experiences is an important determination of our overall well being. By embracing life's journey as an adventure we are better able to see each phase as an opportunity to learn something new and grow.
“Make the Journey an Adventure!”
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