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RETURNING TO LOVE

For a very long time, I struggled to believe God loved me.

My head understood the invitation, but my heart couldn’t catch up. I believed the lies that I was too broken. Too damaged. Too far gone.

Have you struggled to believe that God loves you, too? If so, my guess is somewhere along the way, you picked up a message that said you are unworthy, you aren’t enough, and you aren’t loveable as you are. Then you took that mes­sage and made it your truth. Now anytime something, or someone, tries to tell you otherwise, you nod your head in agreement—but deep down, you still feel undeserving, inade­quate, or unredeemable.

Friend, God loves you. It’s okay if you aren’t ready for that truth to sink in yet. God knows your hurts. He knows your heart. He knows the healing that needs to take place before you can fully accept the depth of His love.

Think about John 3:16—a verse we see so much it’s almost lost its impact: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Not “for God was so upset with us” or “for God so needed to control us.” Not “for God so liked us” or “for God so wanted to win us over.” No. For God so loved us. And not just the good people, or the ones we deem worthy—the world. Me, you, all of us. And He loved us so much that He gave us His one and only Son to save us.

When we return to Jesus, we return to that love. Not disap­proval, manipulation, or anger, but love. And slowly, gently, and tenderly, God replaces the lies we harbor with the truth of His love.

God has spent eternity with you on His mind. He longs for you to know the depth of His infinite love because He is Love (1 John 4:8). He is love without condition. No matter how far or how long you run. No matter the lies you believe. No matter what your head, your heart, or others may tell you—God is there, waiting to scoop you up in His tender arms. To welcome you home.

Would you say you are ready to believe that God loves you? Why or why not?