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The Power of Love: How Faith Can Heal a Divided World

The Power of Love: How Faith Can Heal a Divided World

Last updated on: September 22, 2024 at 6:00 am by Michele Gunn

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The Power of Love: How Faith Can Heal a Divided World 2024-09-21T16:41:15-05:00 Michele Gunn

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Love among strangers.

Love among strangers. Created in Canva

The World Needs More Love

Is there enough love in the world? The world feels increasingly divided and full of challenges and even hatred. You see it every day. Someone feels less than. Someone is bullied. World leaders use smear campaigns to try to get ahead in the polls.

People are hurting. Labels have been created to identify feelings of hurt and feelings of inferiority. One such label is Imposter Syndrome. According to an article in Psychology Today written by Marwa Azab Ph.D., in 1978, “psychologists Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Imes introduced the term. It’s intriguing to note that they didn’t label it as a “syndrome,” but rather as a “phenomenon.” A new syndrome was born as more people claimed to be suffering. The basis of this syndrome is self-doubt. I believe self-doubt arises from lack of love, be it love from others or self-love. Knowing who you are, who you were created to be and embracing your value provides the negative thoughts and self-doubt the world imposes. Know who God created you to be.

People are stifled by fear, depression, anxiety and more! The solution to many of our world’s issues lies in a greater expression of love, rooted in faith and biblical principles.

The Bible Calls You to Love

Love is God’s commandment. Most Christians know this well. Matthew 22:37-39 reads ”He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (usccb.org)

Love is foundational in Christian life. It is the basis as to how we live and how we should let others live. It is not a suggestion, but a Commandment.

God is the ultimate role model. In the Bible, 1 John 4:19 plainly states this: “We love because he first loved us.” (usccb.org) God’s sacrificial love for humanity sets the standard for how we should love one another.

The Power of Love in Healing and Unity

Love is a conscious choice to see the goodness in others. It is a unifying force.

It can break down barriers, foster forgiveness, and create unity in families, communities, and the world. When you are choosing to see goodness in others, it opens your heart and your soul to allow room for another person. This is love. Colossians 3:14 simply states, “And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection.” Love bonds us and all that is good.

Love others, showing grace, offering forgiveness and providing support and encouragement helps people grow in a positive way.

Faith-Based Love vs. Worldly Love

There is a big difference between conditional love and biblical love. The world often portrays love as conditional or self-serving. It is based on what others can do for us, how they can serve us. Biblical love is sacrificial, unconditional, and enduring. In the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 provides the biblical definition of love, “ Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (usccb.org)

Through faith, love is not based on feelings but on commitment, even to those who hurt or oppose us. We are taught to love our enemies. The basis of this is that we are each created in God’s image. He taught us to love one another just as He loves us.

Practical Ways to Show Love in a Hurting World

There is no doubt the people in this world are hurting. Just take a look through social media. Read the comments. Many people are quick to point out the negative or worse, be the negativity with hateful and hurtful words. How can you show love in this hurting world?

Show love in your family: practice patience, forgiveness, and support.
Show love in the workplace: bring kindness, understanding, and compassion into professional relationships.
Show love for strangers and those in need: Matthew 25:40 reads “And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” (usccb.org)

We are often hardest to those who are closest to us. Be intentional with how you love your family on a daily basis. At work, don’t dwell on the mistakes and shortcomings of others. Show grace and encouragement. Serve others through community work, charity, or simple acts of kindness, no matter how small.

Love in the Face of Hate or Opposition

We were never told that life as a Christian would be easy. In fact, we are told that there will be challenges. People will be against us. When things get difficult or people are especially challenging, it is even more important to remember Matthew 5:44, “But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you,” (usccb.org) It will be difficult, but be determined and intentional on you can positively respond to hatred, injustice, or opposition with love instead of revenge or bitterness. Following Christ’s example, for example,

Jesus’ response to persecution, even on the cross, serves as the ultimate example of loving those who hurt us.

A Call to Love

We can stop, or at least minimize, the hurt in the world, by giving more love. When you see someone hurting, be there for them. Encourage them to share. Listen without judgment. Be the first to offer forgiveness. Be kind. Love can be a solution to much of the world’s brokenness. Here is a challenge for you. How can you personally bring more love into your daily life? How can you live John 13:35 – “This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” ? (usccb.org) Be the love that the world needs.

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