When I made out the blog schedule for this quarter, I was excited to see that my monthly blog would fall to be published on Valentine’s Day. I remember thinking it would be such a fun blog to write. Little did I know the week I would endure and that the blog I would be given from the Lord to write regarding love would not be your typical Valentine’s “puff piece”.

We have all had our love put to the test in life. Sometimes it is just that one friend, family member or co-worker that gets on our nerves and we laughingly say to the Lord, “aha, so they are my new love test!” Other times it can be more serious issues we are challenged with in our life relationships to work through that require a little more prayer and hard work. And then there are a few times in life where something is done by someone that rocks us to the very core of our being and it takes everything in us not only to continue to walk in love with that person, but to keep from reacting horribly out of anger.

This was one of those weeks for me. This was not something that happened to me but to one of my most precious loved ones. For the sake of anonymity, I can’t go into more detail, but this was one of the most heartbreaking things I have ever had to deal with in my life and I was challenged like never before on whether or not I would continue to walk in love through this situation or react in the flesh.

Matthew 5:43-48 says, ““You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?  Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

So I got down on my knees and asked God first for strength to walk this out in love. Then I was able to lift my loved one as well as the offender up in prayer, praying that there be healing for everyone involved in this situation. Thankfully, by the mighty Grace of God, I was able to choose love and forgiveness. My loved one still has much healing to go through but God is faithful and I know this will be used for their good as it says in Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

It is hard to fathom sometimes, but God loves murderers, rapists, and pedophiles just as much as He loves us. He wants their souls to be saved just as much as he wants ours. Anyone who is repentant and sincerely asks God for His forgiveness receives it, so who are we to withhold it?

I challenge you this week if you are having a love test whether big or small to ask God to show you what love looks like in that situation. He will be faithful to walk you through it!

Written by: Ginger Brown
Published on 2/14/18