I will love others without fear of rejection as His love overflows through me.
Verses
2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
1 Thessalonians 3:12 (NLT)
And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows.
1 John 4:18 (NLT)
Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.
Father God, thank you for not giving us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. Lord, please make our love for one another and grow and overflow, just your love grows within us and overflows from our hearts.
Lord, we know that your love has no fear because your perfect love expels all fear.
Take the fear we have stored up within our hearts and minds and replace it with the truth.
God, give us courage and desire to love well.
May we press on in loving others, having experienced your perfect love first.
In the Strong Name of Jesus, Amen.
Do you find it easy to love others? Is it natural for you to respond in a loving way towards those God has placed in your life? When you see a practical need, are you quick to meet it? When someone wants to confide in you, do you listen attentively and respond with compassion? How do you react if you’re asked to adjust your schedule to respond to a need of a friend or family member?
I struggle to love well. It may not look that way on the outside, but the reality is that within my heart and mind, there is a constant battle. My flesh is constantly duking it out with the Spirit. Sometimes due to sheer laziness, as I’d rather sit with my feet up, then get off my duff to help a loved one out. Sometimes because I may feel like I’m being manipulated or taken advantage of. And sometimes, because I’m simply afraid of getting hurt if I put my heart on the line. Can you relate?
Selfishness, laziness, and fear can not coexist with authentic loving-kindness.
To love well, we have to stop thinking of only ourselves.
To love well, we have to be passionate about being more like Jesus, choosing to become His hands and feet in every situation.
To love well, we have to be generous with our time and resources, reminding ourselves that God is our provider.
To love well, we have to stop being afraid of getting hurt.
To love well, we have to trust God to be the protector of our hearts.
To love well, we have to live with an overflowing mindset, recognizing that it is God flowing through us, and He enables us to love well.
It’s His love that we all need most. And it’s His love that will win the battle between our spirit and flesh.
How is God calling you to allow Him to overflow through you more so that you can love well?
To continue this journey of living brave and inviting the next generation to join you in the journey, get a copy of Brave Together: A Conversation Starter for Cultivating Biblical Mentoring Relationships.
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