The Love & Effort You Give

This one is going to be a good one, I think :)

Yesterday, as I was scrolling through TikTok (lol) I came across this girl talking about how she is the type of girl that will literally love you until you tell her to stop. Who all can relate to this? Lord knows I can.. Anyways, she goes on to say how she sometimes gets to this point of regret when the friendship or relationship is done with. This is because of how much effort and love she puts into the relationship or friendship and because of how many times she would reach out or check on that person just for it to never be reciprocated or be very on and off in the reciprocation. Again, raise your hand if you relate?!

She goes on to say how God spoke to her and said that she should never regret how much you love someone and how much effort you put into someone despite if it isn't reciprocated how one might want it to be, if at all, because those characteristics are from God.

You see, Jesus is the literal definition of what LOVE should look like. Jesus loves relentlessly, passionately, unwaveringly. Jesus quite literally died for so. many. people. that will never love him the same way that He loves us. Think about that! Jesus died for someone who will never even love him back because of how much love and effort He has to give to us. THAT is powerful.

The girl goes on to say that if Jesus is the example that has been set in stone for us in regards to what love should look like, then someone's response or reciprocation (or lack thereof) should never dictate the amount of effort and love that we put into them. We should never regret how much we loved someone or how deeply we cared for someone or pushed them to be a better version of themselves. We should never regret the time, effort, and love that we give people because we look like Jesus doing so.

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When I heard this, let me tell you, my jaw dropped! Because I have always been the type to love so hard and so deeply whether it's with friends or relationships. It always felt like I would get burned in the end and would never get the reciprocation that I wanted. I do understand that some people simply love differently, and that's okay. That's not what I am speaking of here.

It frustrated me for so long that I had/have all of this love to give over and over again, no matter if I was getting hurt in the process. I will love you until you tell me to stop! And I beat myself up for it. Why? Because I love.

Love is something we are born with in our hearts. Hatred, anger, lying, etc. are all learned behaviors. So, why was I beating myself up continuously for showing the people that I loved, the most natural thing a person can show?

God really has a way of showing up and showing out for you when you least expect it and thank Him for that! If you ever feel tired or regretful or even embarrassed for loving deeply without hesitation, don't! You look like Jesus doing so. And no matter what, I think THAT is the most important thing.

Stay radiant <3