What is Love?
Have you ever watched a romantic comedy wishing that you’d find your prince charming,? Did you wish that you’d ride off into the sunset? Is there such a thing as love at first sight? Let’s ponder all of that… The concept of love is first mentioned in Genesis (2:18-22). It states, “it is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him”.
Furthermore God says, “a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife. They shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). This tells me that a woman has a purpose in life to love a man, and vice versa. God knew all this from the very beginning.
A Reason To Believe
Is there such thing as destiny? Does everything in life happen for a reason? Are you going to be lucky enough to find your reason? I was at the point of giving up on love. I resigned myself to the fact that I may not see love in my lifetime. However, God gave me a reason to believe in it again.
Is it Real Love?
There is something to be said when you can be yourself around a person without judgment. They make you want to be a better person. They have a calming effect on your high strung personality. This counterpart makes me you see different perspectives on things where a pre-judgments had already been made. They let you think outside of the box because they know you are eccentric. In that, love also is when you want good things for them, and want them to succeed at their own goals and dreams. You also know when there’s nothing negative you can say about them. You enjoy the way they can tell a story, and articulate their thoughts. They use analogies to make things understandable. That same aura radiates off them interacting with their own children.
So you see the things I have listed about being in love do not match the fairy tale concept of riding into the sunset, or feeling a certain way. I also never felt this way about any other man in my life. Therefore, I can say with this man, I love without reservation which means, “ love to love completely, fully, without suspicion or distrust, kindly, compassionately and consciously. … To love consciously is to love with one’s eyes wide open, knowing the faults and foibles of the other person and loving them still”.
Love Takes Work
I also know that it does take work, dedication and commitment. The bible even discusses this work in the following verse: “Love is patient, love is kind, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs”, Corinthians 12:4-4. This verse should be a reminder that there are going to be times that it is not going to be fun, however if you stick to the gist of what it is saying, love can be a win/win.
For Better of Worse
Another blog that discusses how to nourish a relationship is “Healthy Intimacy”. This blog discusses the four types of intimacy that are required to reach a desired closeness between people, especially the physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual wellness. When you are able to nourish these intimacies, you can achieve the desired results of a healthy relationship, and develop a strong bond.
It is also worth noting that nothing in the world is perfect. Even if the relationship is strong, it can always be reinforced with therapy. Therapy and counseling not only helps couples who are struggling, but is essential for those trying to maintain a healthy, successful relationship.
In gist, don’t overthink love, it is not as complicated as it seems. Let it come to you, and flow naturally. It might not arrive in shining armor on a horse, but you’ll recognize it when you find it.
