This post and the photos within it contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking an affiliate link, my ministry gets a small commission, with no extra cost to you. See my full disclosures HERE.
So, here goes nothing…*deep breath*
Since this is my first post on Divine Creative Love, it seems appropriate to start with the source of all life and love—God himself.
If there’s one thing I’m learning again and again, it’s that God truly is the source of everything we need! So many things can be left behind for good (destructive habits, relationships that are sucking the life out of you, etc.) when those “holes” are instead filled by the love of Christ.
Case in point, just a short year ago, I was in a bad habit of daydreaming and getting lost in fiction novels, as a sort of comfort to assuage my feelings of loneliness and dissatisfaction with my life. (I’m 30 years old, still as single as ever, and have had a ton of professional/career setbacks since college. Who could blame me for feeling that “My life stinks. What have I accomplished in the last seven years? Nothing?”)
Over time, I began to realize (through Bible readings) that my bad habit was nothing more than relying on something temporary for sustenance—instead of depending on God. It took months to actually stop daydreaming so much…and the farther I get from it—the less I allow that thought process to take hold in my mind—the more I realize how pointless and unsatisfying it actually is. Kind of like when you stop eating something that’s bad for you, and then sometimes you still wish for it (“Ooh, I could sure go for some junky fast food right now.” *stomach turns, remembering how crummy it made you feel afterwards* “Yech. I actually don’t want that junk after all.”)
I’m not saying that I don’t ever read fiction anymore—quite the contrary, in fact, I’m eagerly awaiting the fourth book in The Selection series! But I don’t cling to it, and I don’t obsess over it as if that particular story were the only important thing going on in my life.
So what I’m really trying to say is, if you want more love, joy, and satisfaction in your life, there is no better place to get it than from God. He’s the giver of many good gifts, and loving and abiding in Him continues to bear so much fruit in my life.
Just a few reasons to love God with all your heart + soul + mind:
- You can always depend on God to be faithful, even when others aren’t. We humans are sinful by nature, and are bound to disappoint one another in some way or another. (How many times have I broken a promise, or failed to help someone when I had the opportunity?) But God, in contrast, is steadfast and always there for us, always forgiving, always picking us up when we fall, and always loving.
- When you depend on God as your source of love, and really appreciate the forgiveness offered by Jesus, it becomes so much easier to forgive other people too. I’m not saying it’s completely easy—sometimes it’s extremely difficult—but it helps to remember that: 1) We are all sinners, and all fall short of the glory of God; and that 2) Holding a grudge against someone does nothing except prevent love from flowing freely in that relationship (perhaps making both parties feel miserable in the long run).
- Knowing how God loves each and every one of us, makes it easier to let go of petty irritations, and just love your fellow humans as they are. Inevitably, we all have people who irritate us (like a co-worker who drives you nuts, or a family member whose annoying habit or irritating personality trait puts you in a bad mood). Again, it does take effort, and this sort of thing can’t happen overnight; but by focusing on God’s love for you, and loving others unconditionally as He does, it is possible to look past those annoyances and see that person as an imperfect human being who needs your love and acceptance (and perhaps a healthy dose of patience too). And the bonus is, you don’t have to let them get under your skin any longer.
- Life is just way better when you know you are loved and cared for by God. Yes, it’s tough, and stressful, and crazy—but the more of that stuff you turn over to Him, the lighter your burden will be, and things that might otherwise seem like huge mountains, with God they’re just little molehills.
I find it interesting that, even in the secular world, LOVE is deemed to be the most important thing in life. The problem is, as people we often fail to have love in our hearts, or give love to others. The best way to keep the love flowing, is to stay tapped into the source! It’s like Jesus said in John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
When do you most feel God’s love for you?
Hi! Thank you so much for visiting Divine Creative Love. I’m a Jesus-lovin’ girl, lettering artist, designer, and general creative-at-heart. And, I have narcolepsy. I blog about faith in God, overcoming challenges, and creative topics such as Bible journaling. If you’re new here, be sure and subscribe to my list so you won’t miss anything!