The Courage to Love with an Open Heart

The Courage to Love with an Open Heart

As I was driving down the highway listening to India Aire’s song, Loving I begin to ponder.   I’ve heard her song endless times before but for some reason today, after I heard her sang, it ignited something within me.  Hmmm….God give me the courage to love with an open heart, as a result, two questions came to mind  1.  Do I have to love everyone with an open heart?  2.  How do I love with an open heart?

I’ve come to realize that we all long to be loved and appreciated.  “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.” ~Tenzin Gyastso  Its part of our nature, the imprints of affection, communication and fellowship from others is vital to enjoy a satisfying life.  No man is an island to himself.

Oftentimes we are hurt repeatedly over and over again by those dear to us: family, friends, or significant others.  At times it’s not intentional; but, after a while we want to give up on them and cut them off.  We so easily desire to cease all ties with people in our lives when they don’t “measure up” to what we’d like or offend us continually.

But what about us?  It’s all part of human nature; no one is perfect we all make mistakes.  Look at it like this ask yourself how many times have I hurt someone, been unloving to someone, or cursed someone out?  Or better yet how many times have I hurt God through disobedience, through rejecting Him, through not loving Him?  Well I can speak for myself on several occasions, I’ve been harsh toward others and God; I’ve ignored Him, used Him, been angry with Him and rebelled against Him.

Yet, He still loves me with all my foolishness and flaws.  He’s never once turned His back on me or cut me out of His life.  I’m overwhelmed by His amazing, genuine, love for me.  God loves us with an open heart and He requests us to love others as well.  “Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.  Romans 12:10”  So what does it mean to love with an open heart?  To love with an open heart equates to loving someone afresh daily with no preconceptions, bitterness, or malice.  I know easier said than done, I’m learning this process.

To love with an open heart permits you to still love those who have used you, gossiped about you, mistreated you, and neglected you.   Yes you should love everyone with an open heart, which is simply loving them with a clean slate.  You can love with an open heart by asking God to reveal and heal the broken areas in your life.  This process will lead to you ask others for forgiveness, repenting to God and possibly pardoning yourself.

It starts with you, you have to first love yourself, and then you can truly love others.  If you need help in this area ask God and He will assist you.  Also, I encourage you to invest in yourself and explore the art of loving yourself and others through reading, meditation, or counseling.  Be honest with yourself, you know where you are and what you need.  So the next time you think about eliminating someone completely out of your life reflect upon yourself and how you’ve interacted with others and then ask God to give you the courage to love with an open heart.

Meditate on these affirmations this week :

I love myself completely.

I give and receive love easily and joyfully.

I vibrate with love, energy, peace and ease.

Ignite the passion within you to love with an open heart.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life. ~Proverbs 13:12