“Feelings are only part of what loving people is all about.”

A thought by John Townsend from his book, Loving People (p.22). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

They are a part of love but not the only part.

John says, “The value of seeking and doing the best for the other encompasses every part of us: our thoughts, feelings, behaviors, words, and decisions. Seeking and doing require intentional focus and outcomes. But we must use all parts of ourselves to achieve our goal. Jesus says we are to love God ‘with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ (Mark 12:30) We use all those parts to best love God. And as a result, we use all those parts to best love people.”

He goes on, “So loving people love emotionally, as well as in values and behavior, in the way God models his love for us. Our values and our emotions are linked in love. They cannot be separated, nor should they. A loving person without feelings cannot fully experience love’s power. Conversely, an emotional person without love’s direction is a slave to his impulses and desires. A loving person is passionate, is concerned, desires closeness, and is at the same time firmly rooted and grounded in reality and truth.”

Love does have emotions, but it is also firmly tooted and grounded in reality and truth. So, are you well balanced in your love? Do you want to be?

Yes, yes!

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