Rooted In Love

We’ve been talking about Emotional Health in this message series, and it’s an important topic regardless of age, status, or gender. But did you know that emotions are a gift from God? I think we often focus on the negativity that emotions can bring, but they can also be very good. God gave us emotions to ultimately glorify Him.

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. - Deuteronomy 6:4-9 NIV

The greatest commandment is to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Love is the deepest form of worship. God blessed us with emotions so that we can bring honor and glory to Him! 

JOURNAL: How do you show your love for God on a daily basis?
 
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” - Matthew 22:26-40 NIV

Bringing honor and glory to God doesn’t just happen in a church service, when our arms are raised high in the air. It’s not only when we're singing praises to His name. We can bring honor and glory to our Lord and Savior by loving our neighbor as well. Worship comes in many forms, but all are rooted in love.

We’re currently living in a townhouse complex while we’re waiting for our house to be built, and our neighbors are a whole lot closer than we’re used to. It’s been quite an adjustment. Barking dogs all day long, stolen parking spots, and your general apartment complaints - all of these leave me feeling less than neighborly. My human nature wants to give them the cold shoulder when I see them or call the front office and complain. But I know that many of these things just come with apartment territory. God still commands me to show love!

JOURNAL: Is there a person or group of people in your life that make you feel less-than-“neighborly?” How can you show love to them this week?


As we continue on this emotional health journey, remember that God gave you emotions, and they can be good when we use them to glorify Him!

PRAYER: God, I ask you to settle  my mind and heart as I embark on this emotional health journey. It’s not an easy one to take. My thoughts and feelings are often clouded by uncertainty. Keep me grounded in the Truth and my actions rooted in love. Help me bring honor and glory to you in all I do. Amen
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