A Love that Believes All Things


How to cultivate a love that believes all things when it's hard to.


 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; 
it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way;
 it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 
 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
1 Corinthians 13:7


We've all read these verses, memorized these verses, heard these verses recited at weddings, and some, I'm sure, have even embroidered these verses.   Chapter 13, from the book of 1 Corinthians, is known as the "love" chapter; it's root expounds upon what love truly looks like in action.

But if your like me, you can jump to conclusions pretty quickly regarding how a person's actions may appear, ascribing malicious motive, before really knowing the full story let alone the intent of their hearts.  

The admonitions listed throughout these love verses, when put into practice, would remove much angst from our thoughts, especially when we choose to believe all things...

A Love that Doesn't Jump to Conclusions


Some examples come to mind of what jumping to conclusions might look like...   A wife may have caught her husband in a lie a time or two and trust has been compromised making it hard to believe all things when he comes home late.  Or a child who breaks curfew, when your waiting yet another night to hear their car pull up in the driveway.

In those two scenarios, it definitely would be hard to believe all things, to think the best of a loved one, without jumping to conclusions because of past precedent.

But isn't that what we are called to do?

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked,
 “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 
 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times! 
Matthew 18:22

It could be that a son or daughter came upon a late night car accident and stopped to aid those who were injured, causing them to "break curfew".

Or a husband may have stopped to go grocery shopping to surprise his wife so she wouldn't have to go out later.

In both of these cases, the motives were honorable, yet, on the part of the person waiting, instead of praying and believing all things about those who were late, the time was spent imagining all kinds of disobedient or sketchy plans on their part.  

I truly believe that the love verses are just as much for our own benefit and mental health as they are for those we love.

When we continually put into practice God's design for love, we will be at peace...

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28

When tumultuous emotions take the day because of a loved one, we are laboring in negative thoughts, and heavy ladened with self!   Instead of unburdening to the Lord, the ugly burden gets dumped onto the loved one.

When we believe the worst rather than believe the best of someone, it can become a self-fulfilling prophecy.  The person may think, he/she believes I'll do this anyway, so I might as well.   

Our Lord and Savior set the ultimate example of what it means to love wholly, unconditionally, perfectly.  He took the penalty of our sin upon Himself and died for us so that we would be forgiven.   
And for that very reason, it's okay when we struggle to love someone...  When we fail at loving...   But we don't have to remain in that struggle...

Humble yourselves, therefore, 
under God’s mighty hand, 
so that in due time He may exalt you.
 Cast all your anxiety on Him, 
because He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:6-7

The Lord will accomplish what concerns me;
Your lovingkindness, O Lord, is everlasting;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands.
Psalm 138:8

A Love that Believes God


There is another application for a love that believes all things...  and that is in our love toward God.

When we fret, worry and complain, are we believing ALL things about God?  

God is not man, that he should lie, 
or a son of man, that he should change his mind. 
Has he said, and will he not do it? 
Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?
Numbers 23:19

And there is A LOT to believe God for.  The entire Word of God!

In the Blue Letter Bible online study tool which you can find here you will find an exhaustive list of facts about God with accompanying Scripture references showcasing God's trustworthiness through  {Our God is___________} and that {We are___________} statements

H.W. Webb Peploe said...

Never turn God's facts into hopes or prayers, 
but simply use them as realities;
 and you will find them powerful as you believe them.
{excerpt from Streams in the Desert}

I would venture to say that every one of God's promises contains some form of the word "is" and "are".  

Definitions:
"Is" is the 3rd person singular present of "be",
"Are" is the 2nd person singular present, and 1st, 2nd, 3rd person plural present of "be".

The first definition of "be" is "exist" and the second definition of "be" is "occur, take place"

As Beth Moore would say, "You can take that to the Spiritual Bank!"  :-)

Oh that we would live in the reality of God's promises.

And may our love express itself to both man and God in a manner that believes all things.   For truly then the Joy of the Lord will be our strength, and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.


For similar posts click on the following:



You might find me on these link-ups:

Grace & TruthWoman to Woman Ministries, Inspire Me MondayA Wise Women Builds Her HomeSpiritual Sundays, Soul Survival,  Good Morning MondaysTell His StoryFaith & Fellowship Blog Hop  Tuesday Talk   Faith 'N Friends Sitting Among Friends   House to Home  ,Wonderful Wednesday , Literacy Musings Mondays,Imparting GraceDance with Jesus Booknificent Thursdays  Fresh Market Friday Moments of Hope Wonderful Wednesdays , Tea & Word Tuesday Heart Encouragement Thursday Hearts for Home Messy Marriage Link-up Friday at the Fire Station Link-up Tune In Thursday Faith on Fire Link-upSunday Scripture Blessings Link-up, Sunday ThoughtsWriter Wednesday, Faith Filled Friday God Sized Dreams Link-Up Sitting Among Friends Be Thee Inspired Graceful Tuesday Link-up Aprons & Pearls Link-up Trekkingthru Link-up  Encouraging Word Wednesday  Grace Moments Link-up  Encouraging Hearts and Home Worth Beyond Rubies Seeking Sabbath Scripture and a Snapshot IHeart Verse Welcome Heart Kingdom Bloggers Outdoorsy Mommy Anchored Truth Tuesdays IHeart Verse InstaEncouragements

Comments

  1. All good. I think another way to understand that way of love is to believe the best in someone - knowing they are sinful and make mistakes but not interpreting those in light of "they did it to hurt me" - i.e., believe thier intentions vs their actions. great post!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sue, Amen!

      Thanks for stopping by and for your kind words.

      Blessings,

      Delete
  2. When we fret, worry and complain, are we believing ALL things about God? Such a good question, thank you for the wonderful post. Blessings Diana

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Diana, You are very welcome! Your kind comment encouraged me! :-)

      Blessings,

      Delete
  3. I am certain that I am in the company of many when I state that 1 Corinthians contains some of my favorite verses, but your interpretation of it...today, when I am reading it, came at the most beneficial and appropriate time for me. I would not have hopped on over to your page had you not stopped by and commented on mine...so thank you for that. And thank you for this post. It has been ever so helpful for me and has brought a certain amount of peace that I needed right now in this moment.

    Much gratitude,
    Shelbee
    www.shelbeeontheedge.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Shelbee, Praising God that this post met you at the most beneficial and appropriate time. Thank you so much for sharing that with me. It spurs me on to continue writing.

      You are very welcome.

      It blesses me so much to know that you found a certain amount of peace that you needed right now by stopping by. Praise God! Praise God!

      Blessings,

      Delete
  4. I totally agree with this quote from your article. "I truly believe that the love verses are just as much for our own benefit and mental health as they are for those we love.” It’s so true. There’s so much that can be done in relationships when we change the focus from the other person to ourselves. Thank you for this post!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Leslie, Amen!

      You are very welcome!

      Thanks for stopping by. :-)

      Delete
  5. We live in a world where it is far too easy to jump to conclusions about people. We can't truly love one another until we can find a way to put that aside.
    Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lexie, Well said.

      You are very welcome!

      Thanks for stopping by. :-)

      Delete
  6. Hi Karen, great encouragement here today. I love those verses and every time I read them I see a different aspect to them. This is another, thank you
    God bless
    Tracy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tracy, Thank you for your kind words.

      You are very welcome! :-)]

      Blessings,

      Delete
  7. We spent a while about the mercy of believing the best motivation in others just last night in Bible class. It is important but difficult

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Helene, Oh! Thanks for sharing that! :-)

      I agree, it can be difficult. Praising God for HIs mercy and grace when we find it difficult.

      Thanks for stopping by.

      Blessings,

      Delete
  8. You and I were thinking along the same lines today! The only way I know to love well is in the small things...I can do these and show anybody grace by my actions which will change my own heart.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jamie, :-)

      Amen!

      Thanks so much for sharing and for stopping by. :-)

      Delete
  9. Such true examples of some things that did steal much of my time when I was younger. The doubt...the mis-trust. If I hadn't stepped away from my closeness with a God who would guide me, I could have spared myself so many hurts...that were even un-necessary. We worry as a parent, we worry as a wife, I was just plain a worrier...and it gains nothing. It solved nothing. Trusting is much better in the Love and Patience is like a balm at times. Thanks for sharing such great in-sight.

    Peabea@Peabea Scribbles

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pea Bea, Thank you for sharing so openly here.

      Indeed and Amen!

      You are very welcome. Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  10. This is a wonderful reminder of God's word and what it can actually mean. I do love the reminder to not worry about anything.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your kind words, and thank you for visiting.

      Blessings,

      Delete
  11. Thank you for these insights on what it means to believe all things. One of my children needs to be doing that right now, I think, along with practicing patience and hope and not allowing herself to be resentful as she goes through a difficult time

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kym, You are very welcome!

      I just lifted your daughter's situation up to the God who knows, praying that she will practice patience and hope. That the Lord would remove resentment from her thoughts and fill her with His presence and peace.

      Thanks so much for stopping by.

      Delete
  12. I love that about believing all the things God has said! I spend lots of time explaining to people what it means to believe the best of others, but you have reminded me that I need to apply the same truths to our relationships and trust in God. Thanks so much for enlightening me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Donna, You are very welcome!

      I always enjoy your visits. :-)

      Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  13. Thanks for sharing this with us at Booknificent Thursday at Mommynificent.com!
    Tina

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks for the great addition to Literacy Musing Mondays.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thank you for taking the time to comment.

Popular Posts