Side Effects: Joy

Day 13

Reality Check:

Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. Psalm 45:7

Love as we have discovered is not a fairy tale, it's a lot of work! Before we grow weary in doing good, let's look at the side effects of our hard working love! 

True love brings joy! It brings joy to those you show love to, and it brings joy to your own heart and soul!

Here are just a few more of the side effects of Godly True Love...

When you're not easily provoked, you encourage peace.

When you stop being envious, thankfulness and contentment replaces it.

When you practice patients you give things time, you build endurance, your demeanor changes, patience grows patience, and when you wait on The Lord you gain strength. (Isaiah 40:31)

When you are kind, friendships and relationships grow.And kindness is like a germ- it's easily caught and spread.

When you're not holding onto the wrongs done to you, your focus shifts to the good in others, you start to see people as God sees them.

Simply put, when you practice true love or Godly love, things are just better! Your attitude is better, your outlook is better, you feel better, and you can enjoy what and where God has placed you. There is a reason Christ told us that loving God and loving your neighbor are the top two commandments. Mathew 22:36-40

Practice true love and life will be better, I promise! Remind yourself daily what true love looks like, think of specific areas that you may be able to focus on.

Family Activity: Think of a situation which needs the attributes of true love. Do a little role playing game and act out the situation without love. Then show what happens when we practice true love in the same situation.

Tell us what you plan to do with your family this year!