Psychologists have concluded that being loved is the primary emotional need of humans. Love begins, or should begin, in the home. It doesn’t always.
Some of us will do almost anything to be accepted and feel loved. For many, it is a lifelong pursuit. No substitute can quench this desire–it is embedded in our spiritual DNA.
When I was growing up, we sang in Sunday school, “Jesus loves me, this I know for the Bible tells me so.” This simple yet profound message filled my heart with a deep assurance of my value–I was loved!
To this day, whenever I hear this song, it reminds me of God’s personal love for me, a distinctive love like no other.
Why the need for God’s love?
Human love at its best is imperfect. It is conditional, often predicated on our behavior. People we expect and trust to love us often fail. Those whom we commit to love don’t always love us back. The human heart deceives us.
People fall in and out of love too easily. We all have been on the giving or receiving end of a relationship gone south. Deep in our makeup, we yearn for a love that has no limits… a love that endures… a love that only God can give.
Too many of us have experienced rejection and have come to a place of self-hatred. We believe in the negative thoughts in our head that we are unlovable and not good enough. Neglect, abuse or loneliness can destroy our self-worth.
Even those of us with a healthy self-image will have days when we must fight off these false accusations. We need to silence the negativity and listen to the divine whisperings which speak, “You are my beloved child.”
When a person stops loving us, Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so. When our relationships fall apart, Jesus loves me this I know. When I struggle to love myself, Jesus loves me this I know.
Do you feel loved by God? Tell us how have you have experienced God’s love.
Prayer: Lord help me feel Your love, that above all things I may know I am loved by You.
