Enriched Life
Devotional
READ: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
I love how well 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 lays out how important love is in everything we do. Our motives must be pure. Sometimes, we can get caught up in how nice it feels when someone says, "I love talking to you because you are so encouraging." In those moments, it can be very tempting to believe that we naturally inspire others with our profound words and wisdom, which is the sin of pride.
Love is the transformative force behind all genuine encouragement. When we lead with love, our encouragement to others is patient and always kind. By putting God first and leading with love, our encouragement becomes a powerful tool that leaves a person feeling uplifted and hopeful about their situation. It doesn't draw attention back to us, but rather, it focuses entirely on the individual and their unique journey.
Love is not merely an emotion but a choice. It's a conscious decision to prioritize the well-being of another above your own. True encouragement, rooted in love, is about building up, not tearing down. It's about seeing the potential in others and helping them to discover their own strength. When we encourage someone from a place of love, we are essentially reflecting God's love back to them. It's a gift that keeps on giving, creating a ripple effect of positivity and hope.
This kind of love is a spiritual discipline that requires constant attention and growth. It's about being intentional with our words and actions, and always seeking to understand others' perspectives. It's about recognizing our own shortcomings and striving to be more like Christ in our interactions with others. Ultimately, love is the foundation upon which all genuine relationships are built.
I love how well 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 lays out how important love is in everything we do. Our motives must be pure. Sometimes, we can get caught up in how nice it feels when someone says, "I love talking to you because you are so encouraging." In those moments, it can be very tempting to believe that we naturally inspire others with our profound words and wisdom, which is the sin of pride.
Love is the transformative force behind all genuine encouragement. When we lead with love, our encouragement to others is patient and always kind. By putting God first and leading with love, our encouragement becomes a powerful tool that leaves a person feeling uplifted and hopeful about their situation. It doesn't draw attention back to us, but rather, it focuses entirely on the individual and their unique journey.
Love is not merely an emotion but a choice. It's a conscious decision to prioritize the well-being of another above your own. True encouragement, rooted in love, is about building up, not tearing down. It's about seeing the potential in others and helping them to discover their own strength. When we encourage someone from a place of love, we are essentially reflecting God's love back to them. It's a gift that keeps on giving, creating a ripple effect of positivity and hope.
This kind of love is a spiritual discipline that requires constant attention and growth. It's about being intentional with our words and actions, and always seeking to understand others' perspectives. It's about recognizing our own shortcomings and striving to be more like Christ in our interactions with others. Ultimately, love is the foundation upon which all genuine relationships are built.
Personal Reflection
Reflect on a time when your encouragement to someone might have been driven more by a desire for praise or recognition than by genuine care. How can you shift your focus to a more selfless approach? Envy can also hinder our ability to genuinely love and encourage others. Reflect on areas where you might struggle with envy. How can you cultivate gratitude instead?
Posted in UR Devotionals
2 Comments
When I was in high school I was having an identity crisis, and I only believed I was valuable if I was productive. This unhealthy motivation for attention drove me to do many good deeds, and by God's grace He redeemed those deeds and encouraged others through them anyway... but my good wasn't encouraging to me. It wasn't until I realized that I receive my value as a deeply beloved child of God that I began to serve out of genuine love for others, and this has been the singular most life-giving aspect of my life!
I always love hearing your words of wisdom Nate, God bless you!