The Power of Love

Love Heals
Do you have a relationship that you would like to see improved? Then, why not decide to do something for that person that she/he would not expect. I mean an act of kindness that would fall in the category of 'returning good for evil'. That's what Jesus taught. You'll never go wrong while following the teachings of Jesus.

I know it's not natural. We tend to return evil for evil, but that has never been God's way. When Jesus was on the cross, he prayed for the forgiveness of those who were killing him. Our attitude is always to be one that seeks reconciliation. We don't overlook wrong, but we stand ready to forgive. Genuine love is the most healing of all medications. You'll never know the power of love until you love someone who has hurt you deeply.

Love is Powerful
Love is the most powerful weapon for good in the world. However, many husbands and wives think of love as an emotion. In reality, love is an attitude with appropriate behavior. Love is the attitude that says, "I choose to look out for your interests." Love asks the question, "How may I help you." Then love is expressed in behavior.

The fact that love is action rather than emotion means that I can love my spouse even when I do not have warm feelings toward him/her. If I do or say something that is helpful, my behavior stimulates warm emotions inside my wife. She may not reciprocate immediately, but my loving act has made life better for her. That is what love is all about.

Love, Don't Hate
The world is filled with love and hate. The wise person says, "I choose the road of love because its potential is far greater than the road of hate." Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, "I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear." I believe he was right. Some will say, "But she doesn't deserve love." If we do not choose to love people 'more than they deserve', then few of us will ever express love.

Love is a choice we make every day. It is the choice to be reflectors of God. The Bible says, "God is love." That is His nature. As His children, we become His voice, expressing His love whether people deserve it or not. It is love that draws people to God and to us. Look for an opportunity to express love to someone today.

Love Reborn
Can emotional warmth be reborn in a marriage? I believe the answer is 'yes', and it begins with loving actions. If you simply wait for warm emotions to return, you may wait in vain. But, if you choose loving actions, you set in motion the cycle which stimulates warm emotions. I have seen many troubled marriages restored by loving actions.

You may ask, "What kind of loving actions?" That depends on your spouses' love language. In my book The 5 Love Languages, I reveal five distinct love languages:

• Words of Affirmation
• Quality Time
• Gifts
• Acts of Service
• Physical Touch

If you want to know the love language of your spouse, listen to his complaints. The complaint reveals what would really make him feel loved. Speak his love language and you touch his heart.

Love Communicates
The first step in improving a difficult marriage is learning to speak the love language of your spouse. I know you would like for your spouse to apologize for all the hurt they have caused. But you can't wait for an apology to start loving. Jesus taught us to return good for evil.

It's important how you express love. If your husband's love language is Words of Affirmation, then nothing is more important than looking for things he is doing right and express appreciation. On the other hand, if gifts is your wife's love language then Words of Affirmation will seem empty. She may respond, "Cut the words. Where are the gifts?" Speak the right love language and you create a positive atmosphere where you can then deal realistically with your past failures. Give love a chance.


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