hi. i'm struggling with resisting love.

2nd Corinthians 6:11-13

We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. We are not with-holding our affection from you, but you are with-holding yours from us. As a fair exchange - I speak to you as my children - open wide your hearts also.

Do you ever open up your bible, read something, and feel as if you were hit over the head with a frying pan? Because that’s what just happened to me. This is a hard thing, this world is scary. We see those around us constantly being hurt, so why would we risk opening our hearts to that? I want you to ask yourself - how have I been resisting love? Let me share a few thoughts. When someone genuinely asks you “what’s wrong?” do you share with them? Do you avoid deep relationships with those around you because you fear you are too broken? Keep on thinking on that - I know I will. In the book, Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend, the authors point out that “[Many people] have a lot of love around them, but they do not realize that their loneliness is a result of their own lack of responsiveness.”

Our hearts require an inflow and outflow of blood. Should our love flow be any different? In Romans 12:9-10 it says, “don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” If we, as a community seeking to live for Christ, love each other as Paul tells us to, what are we to fear? Yes, we as humans can fail. But good news! We can find healing in the never-failing love of our Father.

This one’s a hard one, guys. I’m going to keep working on it. I think that this idea of “resisting love” has a lot to it. Let’s continue this conversation.