Love Believes the Best

There's nothing better than focusing on the positive qualities of others. I loved this little exercise because it reminded me of why I love my friends around me and what originally drew me towards them in the first place. It's easy to start focusing on the negative things when you've been hurt several times, but after awhile, you start to forget who they really are, and it can only lead to devaluation and hate. This exercise allowed me to see that even the people I resent still have good qualities about them, and they are only human after all. Knowing that I have failed and am in dire need of redemption, it allowed me to make room for grace and let others be human. We could all use a little more grace.

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..." Romans 3:23

If any of you have been following along, what have you learned so far and how has The Love Dare changed your relationships? I know it has already changed my perspective on how I relate to others, and I have started to open up more and more to the people around me and learn to trust again. It's a slow process, but it makes such a big difference. Funny thing is, when our relationships improve, all the stress and anxiety seems to dissipate as love and peace sets in. Isn't this how Jesus taught us to relate to others after all?

We are moving into the second week with Day 8- Love is Not Jealous.

Jealousy is a common struggle. It is sparked when someone else upstages you and gets something you want. This can be very painful depending upon how selfish you are. Instead of congratulating them, you fume in anger and think ill of them. If you’re not careful, jealousy slithers like a viper into your heart and strikes your motivations and relationships. It can poison you from living the life of love God intended.

Today’s Dare

Determine to become your friends' biggest fan and to reject any thoughts of jealousy. To help set your heart on your friends and focus on their achievements, take yesterday’s list of negative attributes and discreetly burn it. Then share with your friends how glad you are about a success they recently enjoyed.

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