Psychologists say our greatest need is to be deeply seen, known and loved. Read the blog to discover how the love you long for is only waiting to be received.
In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul gives us the definition of love. In Greek, this type of love is defined as agape (unconditional love) which is how God loves you.
Love is patient and kind, not jealous or boastful, not proud, rude or selfish, not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not gloat over other people’s sins but takes delight in the truth. Love always bears up, always trusts, always hopes, always endures. Love never ends. … But for now, three things last – faith, hope and love.
And the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7, 13
There is no English word that truly conveys the love God has for you. The closest word we have is “Lovingkindness.” The English word lovingkindness is translated from the Hebrew word, Hesed, which means a completely undeserved kindness and generosity. Steadfast. Faithful. Unfailing love. A love that ties, binds, or holds fast. The picture is of God tying Himself to you. Never letting you go.
For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, but My lovingkindness will not be removed from you, and My covenant of peace will not be shaken,” Says the LORD who has compassion on you. - Isaiah 54:10 (NASB)
In this fallen and broken world, it is so easy to project our experiences with others onto God. In doing so, we limit who God is, we limit His love for us and how that love can literally transform our lives.
In Unshakable Christine Cain writes, "Accepting as truth that God loves you unconditionally is profoundly difficult when you have lived your life as a performance-driven, accomplishment oriented, earn-people's-acceptance kind of person. Plus, if you bear deep scars of being rejected in the past and if you have been filled with shame, either by that experience or by choices you yourself made, you might find it hard to believe God loves you."
Do you struggle with believing and accepting – really believing in your heart and truly accepting in your soul – that God loves you? Not just loves you, but loves you without conditions? You don’t have to perform, earn, win, strive, or achieve for His love. And if He loves you that He wants good for you? (Matthew 7:7-11) If so, you are not alone. Friend, May I encourage you to open your heart to Him? To uncurl tightly clenched fists in order to open your hands and heart to receive the grace, goodness, mercy, healing and freedom He has for you?
Almighty God and King of the Universe loved us so much that He clothed himself in flesh and was born to be the Savior of the world. Immanuel, which means, God with us.
{my graphics are inspirational gifts for you}
“The Word became a human being and lived with us,
and we saw His Sh’khinah.*
The Sh’khinah of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14 (CJB)
*Sh’khinah (Hebrew) means Divine Presence, the manifest glory of God present with men.
A few questions for you to consider as we celebrate this season of love and miracles:
What would it look like to embrace the gift of love that’s waiting to embrace you?
How would surrendering control and trusting God for your best, as a good and loving Father, impact your life in positive ways?
In what ways can you exchange striving for grace? Fear for peace? Lies for truth?
Knowing and accepting that you are fully loved, fully seen, and fully known can radically change your life when you receive God's love and choose to attach yourself to the One who has attached Himself to you - Hesed.
If this devotional blog encouraged you, would you share it with a friend?
Editor's Note:
This blog is by Freedom to Flourish Founder and Christian Life Coach, Jen Stone-Sexton. She is currently accepting new clients. You can learn more about Jen here.
Download your FREE Flourish Guide to Creating a Life You Love HERE
One of the many benefits of Christian Life Coaching is how, as coaches we hold space and ask powerful questions, so you can safely explore and discover any beliefs or barriers you have to receiving God’s love for yourself. To learn more about how we can support you in this process, schedule HERE for your no-obligation Freedom Discovery Session.
Jennifer C. Stone-Sexton © 2023 Freedom to Flourish, LLC
All graphics created by Jennifer C. Stone-Sexton © 2023 Freedom to Flourish, LLC
All Rights Reserved.
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Credits:
Unshakable, Copyright © 2017 by Christine Cain, (Page 32), Zondervan, 3900 Sparks Dr., SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Scripture quotations taken from the following:
New American Standard Bible® (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation.
All rights reserved.
Complete Jewish Bible (CJB), Copyright © 1998 by David H. Stern. All rights reserved.