Sometimes, loving people is easy; then the tests will come along and reveal how true our love for one another is. There are many different tests, but I have been working through one particular test lately; I have been learning what it means to love people who are hurting in ways I cannot comprehend.
When somebody I love is hurting, I can respond in one of two ways; I can pull closer to them in an effort to share their pain and lessen their burden, or I can pull away from them because I am afraid to feel any pain. When somebody I love loses something, it will be natural for me to feel their loss with them, or to at least try to understand their pain. But I can just as easily give in to fear and pull away from them because I don’t want to experience any discomfort that I have the ability to block out. It’s my choice, and it’s a real test of what is in my heart.
As I’ve been feeling loss with a group of friends lately, I’ve had the opportunity to reflect on how and why we have the ability and responsibility to love one another and it is simply for this one reason: because Christ loves us. He demonstrated in His life and death on this earth what love is – just the fact that He came here to be our Savior could stand alone as an example of love! He does not ask us to carry more pain and heartache then He Himself carried when He went to hell on our behalf, so how can it be too much to help somebody carry their burden? How can I see some awful situation and pray for God to intervene and fix it, yet be unwilling to be a part of the solution when He asks me to? How can I say ‘no’ when He asks me to help somebody after He has done so much for me? He never gives us more to carry than His grace can handle.
Love is never more genuine then after it is has been tried, and Jesus’ ultimate example should be what I follow. The Gospels tell us over and over that He had compassion for the hurting, but compassion is only the prelude to love; His compassion moved Him to do what He could to help us. His love for us motivated His sacrifice for us, it motivates His relationship with us, and it should be the goal I strive towards in every relationship I have.
Proclaiming His Goodness 
Thank you again, Rebecca. So very well thought out and expressed. He will not lead us where His grace cannot keep us. Sometimes we “feel” this is not true, but when we trust and receive what we need from Him, we realize again how very true that statement is. Keep blogging, I for one like to read and be challenged by your words. ♥️
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