What Is Love? Choosing Love Like God Does
Love. It’s one of the most talked-about words in the world—used in songs, movies, social media posts, and everyday life. But if we’re being honest, it’s also one of the most misunderstood words out there. So what is love, really? And how do we live it out, especially when people let us down?
Let’s break it down.
1. Love Is More Than a Feeling
When most people think of love, they think of butterflies, excitement, or a perfect relationship. But feelings come and go. Real love is deeper than emotions—it’s a choice.
Love means choosing to show kindness, forgiveness, and patience even when it’s not easy. It’s standing firm in what’s right even when your emotions want to do the opposite.
The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV):
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud… It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
That kind of love doesn’t just happen—it’s intentional. It’s something we choose to walk in every day.
2. The Love of God: The Example to Follow
God’s love is the purest form of love there is. It’s not based on what we do or don’t do—it’s based on who He is.
Even when we mess up, God doesn’t stop loving us. He corrects, forgives, and restores us because His love is unconditional. Romans 5:8 says,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
That means you don’t have to earn His love—it’s already yours. And when you experience God’s love for yourself, it changes how you love others. It teaches you to show compassion even when someone hurts you, to forgive even when it feels unfair, and to value people the way God does.
3. Love Is a Choice—Not Just Toward Others, but Yourself Too
Sometimes the hardest person to love is yourself. Maybe you’ve made mistakes, or maybe someone made you feel like you aren’t enough. But God’s love says otherwise.
When you choose to love yourself through God’s eyes, you stop basing your worth on likes, followers, or someone else’s approval. You start seeing yourself as His masterpiece—worthy, chosen, and loved beyond measure.
Every day, you get to make a choice:
- Will I believe what the world says about me?
- Or will I believe what God says about me?
Choosing God’s truth over lies is an act of love toward yourself.
4. Separating the Person from the Actions
This part can be tough. Sometimes people do things that hurt us, disappoint us, or even betray our trust. And while it’s okay to set healthy boundaries, it’s also important to remember that someone’s actions don’t define their entire being.
Just like God separates our sins from us when we repent, we can learn to separate the person from what they did. You can forgive without excusing their behavior. You can show love without tolerating what’s wrong.
This doesn’t mean allowing someone to mistreat you—it means choosing to see people through God’s perspective. It’s saying, “I don’t agree with what you did, but I still choose not to carry hate in my heart.”
That’s powerful love. That’s mature love. That’s God’s love at work in you.
5. Living Love Every Day
Love isn’t just about relationships—it’s about how we treat everyone around us.
- It’s how you respond when someone talks behind your back.
- It’s how you handle conflict at school or at home.
- It’s how you forgive, serve, and show kindness—even when no one’s watching.
Every day gives you new chances to choose love. And the more you do, the more you’ll reflect the heart of God to the world around you.
Final Thought
Love isn’t always easy. It takes courage, patience, and faith. But when you walk in the love of God, you’ll discover a strength that feelings alone can’t give you.
So today, choose love.
Choose to forgive.
Choose to see people through God’s eyes.
And most importantly, choose to remember that you are deeply and endlessly loved by the One who created you.
