As Christians, we claim that we love God, and we love Jesus. But HOW do we love Him?
It is easy of course to say that we love God when everything is going well in our lives. But is that love still there with the same intensity when things go wrong?
All of us will experience difficult times at one stage or another; and it could be in many forms - health issues, financial problems, relationships, loss of a loved one or whatever. How do we react then?
Do we feel abandoned and neglected by the One we promised to love and serve?
Or do we continue to love Him even though ... even though we are facing a crisis in our life?
I think that's the kind of love that matters most. The "even though" love. Because the "even though" love reaffirms our trust and our faith in our Lord.
By continuing to pray and to trust Him we are reinforcing our belief that He exists. That He lives and that He listens and that He cares for us.
Even in the deepest depth of our despair, if we continue to pray it underlines our beliefs and our faith. It proves that we are not just talking to ourselves but that we truly believe God is listening.
Our prayers are a testament of our love. And if we are in any doubt, let us look at the Cross.
He gave up His life for us. He freely agreed to undergo all the pain and torture of the Crucifixion for us.
Even though He had His doubts when praying in the garden before His arrest, even though He felt abandoned when hanging on the Cross, He accepted it all for us.
Christ's love for us was an "even though" love. Are we prepared to love Him and trust Him even though we are facing difficult times?
...can we love God and hate our fellow man?
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think, Tom?
DeleteA very important question. We must think of it often and guard our hearts.
Delete“If you love me, you will keep my commandments." John 14:15
ReplyDeleteThere you go ... the answer to Tom's question.
DeleteGod bless, Sandi.
Deuteronomy 6:5. Love the Lord with all your heart and all your mind.
ReplyDeleteAmen Shug. Thank you and God bless you.
DeleteIn the even though times, that's when we should love God more than ever. Blessings, Victor!
ReplyDeleteIndeed Martha. That's when we profess our faith the best.
DeleteGod bless you.
I totally love that - no matter what happens - ever - even though the worst things imaginable can happen - we still have to choose to love him and not give up.
ReplyDeleteI have seen it happen many times, Sandie; by praising God and thanking Him at all times, even when things are really bad, we open a channel for Him to turn a bad situation for the good.
DeleteWe are not praising Him because things are bad; but because we proclaim and acknowledge He is in control; however bad the situation.
God bless you.
Good post, Victor.
ReplyDeleteI believe I show the Lord my love with obedience, and staying in continual communication with Him. Just as with humans, without communication and respect, there is very little relationship.
Well said, Barbara. However bad the situation, we should remain in communication with out God. Even if our prayer is shouting out loud HEEEEELP!
DeleteIt proves we believe He is listening and we are not just talking to ourselves.
God bless always.
In the deepest part of my depression, I never stopped believing, telling the Lord I loved Him, and asking Him to give me strength to just go one more day, no matter how hard it was. He is faithful, and I believe He's holding on to me even more than I am holding on to Him.
ReplyDeleteYou are right, Mimi. God does not want to lose any of His creations. He created us and wishes us to join Him in Paradise. It is we who sometimes walk away from Him. He does not intentionally let us go.
DeleteGod bless.
Even though at time I've no words except to cry, "Help", I believe He's listening.
ReplyDeleteBack in the day I used to play that song over and over. Great album!
Help is a genuine and honest prayer from the heart. It tells God that we have reached our limit and yet we still believe He is in charge and has the power to save us from our difficult position; however dire it is.
DeleteThank you Mevely for this thoughtful comment.
The lyrics of the song HELP are almost a prayer to God. Here they are:
I need somebody
(Help) not just anybody
(Help) you know I need someone
Help
When I was younger, , so much younger than today
I never needed anybody's help in any way
But now these days are gone
I'm not so self assured
Now I find I've changed my mind
I've opened up the doors
Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being 'round
Help me get my feet back on the ground
Won't you please, please help me
And now my life has changed in, oh, so many ways
My independence seems to vanish in the haze
But every now and then I feel so insecure
I know that I just need you like
I've never done before
Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being 'round
Help me get my feet back on the ground
Won't you please, please help me
When I was younger, so much younger than today
I never needed anybody's help in any way
(Now) But now these days are gone
I'm not so self assured
(And now I've found) now I find I've changed my mind
I've opened up the doors
Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being round
Help me, get my feet back on the ground
Won't you please, please help me
Help me, help me, ooh.
Thank you Mevely for this reminder. God bless you my friend.
Yes, I love God through those hard times. Without Him I don't know how I would get through those times.
ReplyDeleteAmen K. So well said.
DeleteGod bless you and yours.
Very good post Victor.
ReplyDeleteSending good wishes this Sunday.
All the best Jan
Many thanx, Jan. God bless always.
DeleteVÃctor, hermoso post.
ReplyDeleteEn las buenas y en las malas mi amor sigue intacto por Dios, el es mi sostén y mi fortaleza.
Que pases un hermoso y feliz fin de semana.
Besos VÃctor
TRANSLATION: Victor, beautiful post.
DeleteThrough thick and thin, my love for God remains unwavering; He is my support and my strength.
Have a wonderful and happy weekend.
Kisses, Victor.
What a wonderful thing to say, Momentos. Thank you so much. God bless you always.
Very encouraging and inspiring post, Victor. God is amazing.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Linda.
DeleteGod bless you.
Good advice and it was also an uplifting write, I liked how you wrapped it up, and it is so true: Christ's love for us was an "even though" love.
ReplyDeleteLove from a hectic time on this side, but we will survive, HE is with us...... and my friend, THANKS!
Great to see you here again, Jack. Wishing you well my friend. Praying for you always and your family. God bless.
Delete