Teach Me to Receive Your Love

We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19

We know how frustrating it is to try to give a gift to somebody who keeps refusing it. Insecurity and feelings of unworthiness keep many of us from being good ‘receivers’. We think we must earn or deserve everything we get. We even go so far as to mistrust the giver and think: ‘Why would you want to do that for me? What’s your real motive?’ Now if we feel that way, imagine how God feels when He extends His love and we refuse it because we feel undeserving, or we’re harboring a false sense of humility. Or worse, we question His motives. The truth is, none of us deserves God’s love. But when He reaches out to you in love, He’s attempting to establish a cycle that will bless you as well as others. His plan is simple. He wants you to: 1) Receive His love. 2) Learn to love yourself in a balanced and healthy way. 3) Love Him in return. 4) Extend His love to those He sends into your life. And learning to do those things takes time – in most cases, lots of it! And just as God did when the Israelites entered the Promised Land, He will help you to conquer your hang-ups ‘little by little’ (see Exodus 23:30). Change happens gradually as you continue to pray, read His Word, and act on it (see 2 Corinthians 3:18). He’s ‘the author and finisher of our faith’ (see Hebrews 12:2). The Bible says God initiated this ‘good work’ in your life and He will complete it (see Philippians 1:6). So today ask Him to help you receive and embrace His unconditional love for you.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your unconditional love for me – help me to love others like that. In Jesus’ Name, Amen