Old In a popular song, Everybody, Ingrid Michaelson sings that everybody wants love and everybody wants to be loved. But what happens when you’re not even sure what love is or, worse, if you are loved? And how do you get to a place where the love of God permeates your being and ushers away all the lies that scream so loud? This topic can be especially hard for us women, but once we have a clear understanding of what love is and the love that Jesus has for us, we can let go of our wonderings and bask in His love for us. Here, we’ve collected insightful bible verses about God’s love. But first, let’s explore the definition of love.
What Is Love?
Definitions are very important. A definition has the potential to provide clarity and provide basis for our communication. According to Principles of Microeconomics: Scarcity and Social Provisioning, definitions act like a compass, providing a lost reader with several potential directions from which to proceed.
When Allure posed the question, “What is Love?”, to 31 people, there were diverse answers. One said love is sharing food… one said love is building each other up… and some people are still trying to figure out what it is.
Love In The Bible
Fortunately, for Christians, the Bible puts an end to our wonderings. The Hebrew word for “love” in the Bible is ahavah. According to Dr. Tim Mackie, co-founder of BibleProject, ahavah encompasses deep affection and action, and God is the source of ahavah: He loves because love is part of His character.
In the Old Testament, love is khesed. According to the BibleProject Team, the Hebrew Word khesed can be translated as loyal love that assumes commitment and can be expressed through acts. Khesed is a love that is generous, steadfast, kind, unfailing, faithful and dependable. The term khesed is predominantly associated with God’s display of love to people who are undeserving.
Next, the Greek form of love used in the New Testament is agape. The word agape is mainly comprised of considering the other person above yourself irrespective of whether they are deserving of that love or not. Our Jesus displayed agape by dying on the cross for humanity regardless of the sins of humanity.
However, despite love being used in the bible more times than we can count, many of us find ourselves in a place where we doubt God’s love for us. Life has broken us, disappointed us and left us bleeding.
How Did We Get Here?
Robert Firestone, a clinical psychologist, suggests that negative responses to love are due to childhood trauma. In other words, the negative responses are due to the defense stance developed in childhood. These defense mechanisms are triggered when another person attempts to love the individual who has been wounded in their past. Similarly, Peter Horrobin, the founder of Ellel Ministries, states that people should deal with their pain instead of burying it as we cannot forget the things that happen in our lifetime, they just get suppressed and delay the healing process.
Every new design starts off with a blueprint and the process of becoming healed is no different. Here are some bible verses about God’s love to assist you with your blueprint.
Bible Verses About God’s Love
God formed you
You are not a result of Big Bang or just a series of chemical reactions. You are fashioned by God and you are not the result of some random occurrence of events.
I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! 8 If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. 9 If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, 10 even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. -Psalm 139: 7-10
Jesus died for all humanity
Scripture is clear that God sacrificed His Son for our sake. Has anyone ever loved you to such an extent that they would sacrifice the most precious possession in exchange for you?
16 “For God so loved the world,[a] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. -John 3: 16
God forgives your sins
God’s love is unconditional. He loves because He is love. Not because of anything that we have done or will ever do. His love is true, it is real and it surpasses our understanding.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, -Psalm 103: 11-12
God wants to heal you
God wants to heal people. He does not want anyone to go through life in disorder. He restores order in your life so that you can look forward to a future filled with His purposes.
11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. -Jeremiah 29:11
You are not alone
According to the National Centre for PTSD, about 60 percent of men and 50 percent of women experience at least one trauma in their lives. It’s no wonder so many of us have developed resistance to love. Undealt with trauma is a common tactic used by the enemy to keep us from experiencing God’s wreckless love. You can take the stick out of Satan’s hands in this moment by leaning into God’s word and asking him to guide you in a healing process.
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. -Philippians 4:6
There is no quick fix or timeline for the healing journey
Everyone’s process is unique and cannot be compared to another. Trust God with your process. Sometimes it may seem messy and ugly with no progress but trust the One who is in charge of the process.
12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. -Romans 12:12
Self-care is essential for the healing journey
He made us according to His image. Essentially this means we are triune: spirit, soul and body. Our spirits allow us to have fellowship and relationship with God. Our souls contain our mind, emotions and will. The body anchors the spirit and soul. Each part of our being has needs and thus it’s essential to make sure the needs are being met in a healthy way.
According to the Moral Revolution Team, soul needs can be defined as intimacy, connection and comfort. Thus, having a good support structure and healthy relationships with people whom you love and trust is important.
Ensuring that your body is in good physical condition – incorporating a healthy diet, regular exercise and enough sleep- is imperative for the healing journey.
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So, glorify God in your body. -1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Getting help from a professional is not a sign of weakness
Find a psychologist or counsellor whom you are comfortable with, who shares your values and beliefs to assist you in confronting the painful things that hinder you.
2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. -Galatians 6:2
Remember the Word
The Word is a powerful weapon that helps us to distinguish lies from truth. So, when those old thoughts come back to accuse or condemn, remember what Scripture says.
3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. -Isaiah 26:3
You, my friend are so loved.
Some additional resources
“Healing From the Consequences of Accident, Shock & Trauma” by Peter Horrobin
“Breaking Free” by Beth Moore
