“Love chooses to see the best and believe the best while choosing to overlook the rest.”

A thought by Andy Stanley (2015-01-06) from his book, The New Rules for Love, Sex,and Dating (p. 94). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

Andy is striving to show us in this section of his book, that we need to strive to embrace love as an action verb. And he has taken us to the love chapter in 1 Corinthians 13 in the Bible to show us God’s thoughts on love. Now in verses 6 & 7 of this great chapter says, “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” What does love do? “It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” Not exactly our definition of love, even as Christ followers, is it?

As Andy puts it, “Love does not delight in or get its kicks digging up dirt or catching someone doing wrong. Love isn’t looking for or expecting bad behavior. Love is hopeful… Love looks for and celebrates good behavior. Unlike the record keepers, love loves to catch people doing the right thing. Love goes so far as to look for excuses to credit others with right behavior.”

Andy then says, “Love continues to hope and trust when circumstances argue otherwise. Love opts for the most generous explanation for the other person’s behavior. • ‘He’s late, but I’m sure he has a good explanation.’ • ‘She hasn’t called, but I’m sure there’s a good reason. • ‘He forgot, but he’s got so much going on and I’m so grateful for all he does.’ • ‘She’s not good with details. She’ll be devastated when she realizes she stood me up.’ When two people choose to consistently fill the inevitable performance gaps with trust, it creates a reinforcing current that drives the relationship in a healthy direction. Trust builds trust…Mutual trust is a self-fulfilling prophecy.”

In other words, love gives people the benefit of the doubt.

Will you strive to love like that?

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