1 Corinthians 13 is one of the most quoted love poems ever. Most importantly it reminds us that love never fails. I know. I know. Right now you are thinking about that person you loved dearly and it all fell apart. You’re thinking about the pain of your failed marriage. Love never fails. However, relationships sometimes do.
Relationships fail because people fail. We can always remind ourselves that “nobody’s perfect.” However, we secretly and subconsciously expect that our spouses and significant others are perfect, at least perfect for us. Rather than using the biblical definition of “love” we equate love to laughter, flowers, and a state of being where someone is meeting our every need. We forget that “love” is not jealous, boastful, proud, or rude and so when things don’t go our way, conflict ensues. We forget that “love” never gives up and so we break-up with people when our definition of “love’ fails.
When we say, “I love you” what we often mean is “I love how you make me feel.” Unfortunately, that is a set up for failure. True love. Real love. Biblical love is not a feeling. It’s actually an action. It’s a way of life. And…
Love has nothing to do with the behavior of other people. Love has everything to do with who you are. The passage in 1 Corinthians tells us that “love” doesn’t demand its own way. Love keeps no record of wrongs. So, if you really, truly love someone you’d never break-up because you keep no record of wrongs. Ha! Imagine that. And since love doesn’t demand things its own way, you’ll only be focused on the other person’s happiness and not your own. Yikes!! Epic fail for me.
The truth is without God it is impossible to love anybody. God is love and when you have an intimate relationship with God it improves your relationships with people — spouses, parents, children, friends, co-workers, etc. God can fill your heart with love and that love will help you move passed the mistakes of others. That love will guide you into hope and faith and endurance in your relationships. Quite honestly, I don’t know how anybody stays married without God. #jussayin
If you are angry at God because of a failed relationship, I encourage you to read your Bible. Read 1 Corinthians 13 and ask yourself, “Did love fail us or did we fail to love?”
Your health and safety are important and you should never stay in a relationship that is harmful to you physically or emotionally. If you are in an abusive relationship, get help today. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233.