“The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” 1 John 4:8
God is love. 1 John 4:8 is probably one of the most quoted verses in the Bible. We know that the very nature of God, His identity, is love. Still sometimes when things happen we wonder how those things reflect a loving God overseeing our lives. One of my best friends says, “If what you are seeing doesn’t line up with a good loving God then you need to take another look and ask God how He sees the situation.” We have all had times where a change of perspective or more information completely changed the way we saw something.
Today, if you are struggling to see God as perfect love here are a few couple of things to consider:
Ask God for a different perspective. The Holy Spirit can reveal the truth to you about a situation. Let Him give you new information.
“All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit would receive from me what he will make known to you.” John 16:15
Sometimes “no” is the best answer. God doesn’t always have to say yes to what we are asking. In His infinite wisdom, He knows that it’s just not the right thing for us right now. Sometimes it’s not that God isn’t answering, simply that His answer is “no” or “wait.”
Let’s look at that verse again. What directly follows the statement, “God is love”? An explanation of how God SHOWED that love follows. Heidi Baker says, “Love looks like something.”
James 2:18 says, “But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.”
It’s the same way with love. It’s hard or even impossible to show that you love someone without it coming out in your words or deeds.
Moments with God
Ask God what He sees when He looks at you. Take a minute to let the Holy Spirit reveal the love of the Father for you. Ask Him specific questions. What do I do that makes you happy? What do you love about me? What do I do that makes you proud?
Read 1 Corinthians 13 to see what love looks like. Ask God to highlight one of those things that you can show more of. Ask God how you can love better. Ask Him to give you specific people you can show love to this month. You can even ask Him for strategies from Heaven to make them feel loved!