The Love Challenge

 

If the words “I’m done” has come out of your mouth at any time in your relationship, this 30-Day love challenge is for you!

Too many of us have extend our love based on our tolerance of one’s behavior, as opposed to extending the true depth to the meaning of love.

Sure we love food; we even love our friends and family to an extent. Until our taste buds change, or someone rubs us the wrong way.

What Hinders Love?

As a people, we say, “I love you” almost as loosely as we are willing to leave pennies on the ground, or as quickly as we are to throw trash away.

We love with the flow of the wind, breezy one day, a storm the next, or all of a sudden, there is peace because the wind is still.

Well, in reality more like our love comes to a halt because we just simply fell out of love.

The 30-Day Love Challenge

There was a time when the pressures of our life created an atmosphere of sarcasm and rudeness in our home; even among our children. So we decided to implement a 30-day love challenge.

Our challenge was to read 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 in any Bible  translation that spoke to our individual hearts, write it down, and then read it every day for 30 days.

Could we have read it without writing it down? Yes. However, the point of the challenge was to meditate on it until it became what we “do.”

There’s just something about writing down scripture and somehow that process begins to connect with our heart and our mind.

Needless to say, we did just that. We wrote it down, and then committed to reading it every day for 30 days.

We know what you’re thinking, here we go again with love never fails. But have you really taken the time to read 1 Corinthians 13 in different Bible translations, and truly meditated on it to have an understanding of what it means?

In our 30-day love challenge, we found that The Message version spoke to us in an audible way that changed our love walk in every relationship.

Want to improve your relationship in 30 days? Take The Love Challenge! Click To Tweet

In fact, this has become one of our first assignments for marriage counseling. Challenging every couple to read 1 Corinthians 13 for 30 days and watch how it changes their love walk with each other and other people.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (The Message)

“If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere.So, no matter what I say, what I believe,and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love. Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut.

Doesn’t have a swelled head. Doesn’t force itself on others. Isn’t always “me first.” Doesn’t fly off the handle. Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others. Doesn’t revel when others grovel. Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth. Puts up with anything, trusts God always. Always looks for the best. Never looks back. But keeps going to the end. Love never dies.”

Wrapping Up With Love

Nowhere in this passage do you read the phrase; “I’m done.” In fact, the scripture actually highlights a few key points we should talk about.

Love doesn’t keep score of the sins of others.

This means, we don’t count the times others have done us wrong. Especially, if we’ve granted someone forgiveness for a past sin.

Love does not act unbecomingly.

When we act unbecomingly, we behave outside of our character. However, when we purpose to walk in love, it will keep us from flying of the handle.

Love trusts God always.

We may not trust the person we’re with for whatever reason; but we must always, choose to trust God.

Our hearts must be surrendered to trusting God, knowing that He will not forsake us, even as we extend His love and grace towards others.

In The End

Walking in love does not mean we become a door mat; as there will be times where setting boundaries in a relationship is necessary.

However, even in those circumstances, we must choose to set those boundaries with a heart of love.

So, if you’re struggling with your love walk, we encourage you to take the 30-day love challenge. This exercise will challenge you to; change your heart, your actions, and your love for others.

Want To Take The 30-Day Love Challenge?

If you want to take the challenge, click the link below to enroll and download the Love Challenge Daily Tracker.

This post is being shared on Grace and Truth, A Weekly Christian Link Up, and Salt and Light Link Up!

 

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~André and Timberley Gray