Have you ever met someone who just radiates love? Like, when they walk into the room, you can feel it- there’s something magnetic about their kindness, their warmth and the way they make you feel valued. That’s Christian love! When it’s in your heart, people can feel it and they’re naturally drawn to you.
But let’s be honest, in today’s world, it often feels like the goal is to get as much as we can for ourselves- money, fame, the perfect body, and everything else. That’s what we’re told matters, right?
And don’t get me wrong, we hear it everywhere: “Love yourself,” “Put yourself first,” “You deserve better.” We’re sold on the idea that if we just focus on ourselves– getting everything we want, living life on our terms- that’s the key to happiness.
But here’s the thing- even after reaching all those goals, even when you’ve put yourself first, there’s still something missing. You’ve got the success, but you still feel empty. It’s like you’re chasing this idea of happiness, but no matter how hard you run after it, the emptiness lingers.
And honestly, that emptiness can start to turn into frustration, anxiety, and even anger. When you don’t feel fulfilled, it’s easy to get discouraged. You might start wondering why everything feels so off and that frustration can spiral into something deeper, like despair. It’s a tough place to be in.
Why does this happen?
Well, here’s the hard truth. We’ve been told the wrong story. We’ve been led to believe that we’re the centre of the universe. But when reality hits, we realise that it doesn’t revolve around us. And that’s a tough pill to swallow.
So what’s the missing piece? What’s really going to fill that emptiness?
The answer is simpler than you think: focus. But not focus on yourself- focus on God. He’s the one at the centre of it all, the one who created the universe and holds it together. And when we shift our focus to Him, everything else starts to make sense.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting- in order to truly focus on God, we have to practice love. Not the self-centred, romantic kind that the world tells us to pursue, but the kind of love that comes from God- true Christian love.
Christian love isn’t just about loving God. It’s about loving others the way He loves us. It’s about seeing God in every person you meet and responding to their needs, even when it’s inconvenient.
Christian love is love for God and love for our neighbour.
How do you practice Christian love?
It’s not easy, but here’s a list of simple things we can all start doing today:
- Wish the best for everyone you come into contact with, whether you know them well or not.
- Speak kindly of others. Don’t let gossip or negativity slip out of your mouth.
- Help people in need, even when it’s not easy. You never know what someone else is going through.
- Be patient and kind in your interactions, especially when things aren’t going your way.
- Do good without looking for recognition or reward.
- Let go of jealousy. When someone else succeeds, celebrate with them instead of feeling envious.
- Don’t seek revenge. Forgiveness is the only way to truly free yourself.
- Let go of grudges– holding on to old hurts only weighs you down.
- Stay humble. Pride is the enemy of love, so choose humility instead of boasting.
- Lift people up with your words and actions, not tear them down.
- Let go of anger, resentment, and hatred. They poison your soul and steal your peace.
- Be slow to judge. We all have our struggles, so give others the same grace you’d want.
- Celebrate the happiness of others. When others are happy, you should be too.
- Forgive sincerely, not out of obligation but from the heart.
- Work toward reconciliation when things go wrong. Don’t let division linger.
- Pray for others, even for those who are hard to love.
- Show compassion to everyone, even those who may not show it to you.
- Treat everyone equally, no matter who they are or where they come from.
It’s a pretty big list, isn’t it? And honestly, how many of us manage to do all of these every day? I know I don’t, and I don’t think anyone gets it perfect. But the point is, it’s a practice. It’s something we try to do every day, even if we mess up along the way.
So how do we get better at this? How do we keep going when it feels impossible?
It all starts with prayer and repentance. When we pray sincerely, we open ourselves up to God’s grace. Repentance helps prepare our hearts to receive the Holy Spirit’s guidance, reminding us to practice love in all we do.
And here’s the thing- it’s a journey. It’s not about getting it right every time. It’s about showing up and letting God do the work in us. The more we practice, the more we begin to feel that joy and peace that we’ve been searching for.
So, what now?
Start small. Maybe it’s something simple like choosing kindness over frustration or praying for someone who’s hard to love. It doesn’t have to be a huge step. It just has to be a step in the right direction.
Remember- delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4). When you focus on Him, everything else starts to fall into place.
Keep practicing Christian love. Keep choosing God’s way over your own. And trust me, the more you do, the more you’ll experience true fulfilment and joy.
Found this post useful? You might also like to read these
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How to discover God’s purpose for your life
Are you living the life of the Church?
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Hi! My name is Rubitah. I’m a Content Writer certified Life Coach, Counselor, Social Work professional and the Founder of Being Rubitah. Over the years through my professional and personal life, I have realized that prayers and love can do wonders to family life once you come to terms with yourself and surrender to God. Do you relate to me? Then you may like what I post here! Read more about me
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