Love is a Battlefield
Love is a Battlefield… I don’t know about you, but I’ve always been taught that:
Love is Patient. Love is Kind. Love does not envy or boast. Love is not rude.
In short, I was taught that love is more pleasant than a battlefield. When I think of a battlefield, then I think of:
- Conflict, blood, death, fighting -
It’s not a pretty sight. People die or are injured on a battlefield… When you love you don’t look to become injured or die. Hmmm.. or do you?
1 Corinthians 13 goes on to say that:
Love is not selfish.
When you operate in selfishness, then you operate from a mindset that it is all about you. Although we may not want to admit or face it, when you really love someone, then being on a battlefield will be apart of your journey. However, the key is realizing that the battlefield is not about you - it’s about the other person.
Are you willing to fight, or die for the ones that you love?
Not the ones that you want to love but those who need your love.
Listen - it’s very easy to fall into the mindset of:
“I’m going to do what’s best for me and mine.”
By all means do that, but don’t fall into the trap of blocking everyone else out of your life; especially those who’ve proven to be beneficial to you. There’s only one culprit as to why we so easily adapt to selfishness:
Unresolved Pain.
Resolving to only do what’s best for you and yours is a defense tactic; because truth of the matter is that you don’t want to let anyone in or you don’t want to let your guard down only to become injured again.
I get it. In life you will come to a point where:
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
If you don’t protect your heart, then who will? The problem is the motive behind your defense mechanism… It’s not from a pure place. Instead, your defense is motivated from a place of fear. This is how the enemy deceives you. He gives you a false feeling of safety; because what’s really happening is that you are dying from self-inflicted wounds due to you residing in your bubble of fear - oop, I mean place of safety. Wait... Who are we fooling? It is not a:
Place of safety
People who love you want to help you, but they are unable to reach you because you are hiding behind fear. You’re not safe. Fear only blocks you from life. And in life you have to destroy fear and take a risk on the battlefield.
It takes having courage to love, because, truth is, you will get injured. You will be betrayed. You will be lied on. You will be misunderstood. But when you find yourself in those places of pain, be reminded of Jesus:
Jesus was betrayed but He still loved.
Jesus was lied on but He still loved.
Jesus was rejected but He still loved.
Jesus was spit on but He still loved.
Jesus was disrespected but He still loved.
Jesus’ flesh was ripped apart from the brutal beating but He still loved.
Jesus was nailed to the cross by the people He loved.
Jesus felt like He couldn’t depend on those He considered friends in His weakest moment but He still loved.
Jesus knew that Judas was scheming but He still loved.
Jesus died a brutal death because He loved
Bottom Line:
As risky as it may have seemed, we wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for the love of God and Christ's commitment to the will of God.
I don’t know about y'all, but I want to be like Jesus. I want to be able to love and serve others despite what I know, and the pain I feel.
Love is not received well when perceived as a battlefield: a place of injury and death. Especially around this time - Valentines Day. This is a time where couples become more intentional in showing love. And that’s all fine and dandy - do that. But don’t let the warm and fuzzy feelings from Valentines Day taint the real meaning of love.
Love is sacrifice. You may not feel as fuzzy after reading this blog, but one thing is for sure:
If you commit to take a risk in love and putting yourself aside, then you are about to experience the most effective and impactful days of your life!
Don’t let unresolved pain stop you from receiving the benefits of Love.
Don’t let your past stop you from giving true love. People need your love and you deserve to be loved.
Don’t let fear or pride stop you from receiving what you deserve!
Yes- I know - it is a risk. I know - you don’t want to set yourself up for failure - but who said that you’d fail? I mean think about it. Who said you’d fail? It’s the enemy sending thoughts of defeat to your mind so that you’ll continue to operate in fear and miss out on all that belongs to you.
The Bible is clear - the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy. The enemy is stealing from you! Don’t be deceived any longer! Let your guard down, silence fear, and receive what belongs to you!
I can say so much more on this topic because it is so familiar to me. Now my eyes are open, and I’m on a mission to open the eyes of others so that they may also walk in freedom as well. You deserve to live in abundance. God has abundance stored up for you and no one is blocking it but you.
Commissioned said it best in one of my favorite songs: “Love is the key. It’s Faith and Charity. Becomes the recipe for the healing remedy.”
Really? When I love the way God wants me to love, it has the power to heal me? Yes.. it does.
Love is a Battlefield. Are you willing to win? Choose to love.
Hey! Before you leave, jam out to this video! (I LOVE THIS SONG!)
from the Desk of Simply Tiffany.