The Pillar of Love

The Pillar of Love a daily devotional by H. Norman Wright

We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19

Tom Marshall shares some wonderful insights on how to love. Here is an adaption from his book Right Relationships.

It’s true. You’ve heard about the pillar before. Probably many times. But very possibly not in the following way. You were made for love—divine love. We have a need to be loved in such a way that only God can meet that need. And when we experience His love for us and we love Him, then and only then can we freely love others in a way that it makes a difference. And there are many expressions of this love.

One of these is care. This is love in action. Care is not a matter of having warm feelings for your spouse. Care means we attend to our partners’ welfare and their best interests in a consistent way. We look out for the other person.

Another expression of love is kindness. When you are kind to the other person, you know that you’re responding in a way that you’d like them to respond in a similar situation.

Love is also liking the other. It’s a pleasurable part of life. What’s this all about? It involves attraction, interest, fondness, and other favorable responses. You like to be with and do things with your spouse.

Another expression of love is tenderness. This is an expression of gentleness and is a healing response when your partner is hurting and vulnerable. It is given out of your strength.

When you love you’re also generous, especially with your time, attention, assistance, and encouragement. The model for this comes from God’s generous nature.

Compassion is the calling to all Christians, but the ideal place for its expression is within marriage. It’s the feeling of pity or being distressed at what your partner is experiencing. It’s hurting with him or her but with a desire to help.

Forgiveness is the survival kit for a marriage. Forgiveness says, “No more blame. No more keeping score.” It’s a nondeserved gift. There are no records kept.