Love Believes all things

[stephen]

Love believes all things, hopes all things. —1 Corinthians 13:7

It was 40 years ago or more that I observed a friend of mine showing great affection for someone I considered unworthy of love.
I thought my friend was being taken in, and I was afraid he would be disillusioned and saddened in the end.

When I expressed my concern, he replied, “When I stand before my Lord, I hope He’ll say of me that I’ve loved too many, rather than too few.” I’ve never forgotten his words.

Paul insists that “love believes all things” (1 Cor. 13:7). Love “believes” in people. It can see the potential in them. It believes that God can take the most unattractive and unworthy individual and turn that person into a masterpiece of beauty and grace. If love errs, it must err in the way of trustfulness and hopefulness.

Certainly, we must be aware of danger when we see it coming, and become “as wise as serpents” (Matt. 10:16). Tough love may be the best response to irresponsible and foolish people, but we can be too guarded, too wary and distrustful.

It doesn’t do us any real harm to be hoodwinked and defrauded (Matt. 5:38-48).

It’s better to believe in someone and have your heart broken than to have no heart at all.

British poet Alfred Tennyson wrote, “?’Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.” I agree. —David Roper

Lord, help us to believe in people
And all that in them You can do,
So we can say we’ve loved too many,
Rather than too few. —Sper

Love looks beyond what people are to what they can become.

 

[Dreamer]

Did you write that, Stephen? Wow. May I copy it and use it elsewhere?

I just spent 3 weeks at a homeless shelter, my son and me. Over and over, I heard staff complain of being fooled by residents, other residents hardening themselves, saying, "no one will walk all over me," etc.

Yet those who seem unworthy to others are someone God happens to love and God sees their potential if we only would.

To not always be protective of oneself is to be vulnerable and to care for someone else. Not being unwise, as you said, but seeking Christ in our walk and our actions.

Amen! Love this devotional.

 

[Giggles4God]

Dreamer,

The devotional is from Our Daily Bread. You can get it free from the website.

I do that devotional usually every day...sometimes I don't have enough time on Sunday mornings though

God Bless!

G4G

 

[stephen]

Did you write that, Stephen? Wow. May I copy it and use it elsewhere?

I just spent 3 weeks at a homeless shelter, my son and me. Over and over, I heard staff complain of being fooled by residents, other residents hardening themselves, saying, "no one will walk all over me," etc.

Yet those who seem unworthy to others are someone God happens to love and God sees their potential if we only would.

To not always be protective of oneself is to be vulnerable and to care for someone else. Not being unwise, as you said, but seeking Christ in our walk and our actions.

Amen! Love this devotional.

Hi Sister in Jesus....Lovely to hear from you.

Trust you are ok. It is taken from a daily reading book entitled Daily Bread.

It particularly spoke to me also that was the reason I posted it.

If you want more, use a search engine. I am sure you will find it.

Like all daily reading materials some relate....some don't


In His Love