Reality is, that the closer we get to others, open our hearts and become vulnerable, the greater chance of getting hurt. True love will put you in a position to be easily hurt. We all have to choose between staying open & vulnerable or closing up like a clam to avoid pain. So many people get hurt in a relationship, but then they use their hurt as a weapon and excuse to leave that relationship. That’s not love. Why? Because love never stops being patient and covering other’s mistakes. Another time we need to cover and protect our spouse is when their words and actions hurt us. Some words and actions are intentional. Some are unintentional. Many times we can be careless with our words or actions because we are not paying attention. We are not trying to be mean or insensitive - it’s just that we're preoccupied and unaware.
But here’s the one thing I’ve learned to do - listen when Amy feels hurt! Grace listens. We need to learn to listen to each other. The first duty of love is to listen. We talk too much and listen too little. The #1 organ of love is your ears.
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. James 1:19
Most arguments/breakdowns wouldn’t even start if we do what the Bible says. The problems is we do the opposite of this verse. We are slow to listen, quick to speak, and quick to become angry. This is a choice we have to make - remember love is a choice– to learn to listen, and keep our mouth closed when we want to say something in defensiveness, and choose to not be angry but patient instead. We must learn to do the opposite of what comes naturally.
Can I share something incredibly simple that is guaranteed to help heal every relationship? Here it is: Say “I’m Sorry.” Whether your words or actions were intentional or unintentional, say “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.” It’s amazing how those two simple words can breathe grace into a relationship. Then it’s up to the other person to cover and protect and say, “I forgive you.” There it is - listening, saying “I’m sorry” and then extending grace and forgiving.
To have a love that lasts we need to extend grace and be patient when words and actions hurt us.
Комментарии