“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” John 15:12 NIV

I Love You Too Much…

I said these words to a loved one yesterday as I confronted them in love about something they needed to do. They were not happy and I was taken back to a time years ago where I had done the same kind of action, but with an entirely different motive, with another loved one. Then, my motivation was to win in a battle of strong wills (nobody wins in that situation); now, my motivation was love and what was best for them. It still didn’t feel good though. And that’s okay; love doesn’t always feel good, no matter how much we wish it did.

I started thinking about the times the Holy Spirit has confronted (convicted) me in love, and how God has gently, or not so gently, disciplined me—He has said, “I love you too much to let you stay in this situation, or continue to do those things which are so destructive.” As He tells us in Hebrews 12:11 (NIV), “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

Jesus loved us too much not to go to the Cross for us. “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us” (1 John 3:16a NIV).

My loved one was angry with me, but they got over it. I’ll be honest—sometimes I get angry at God when He is loving me “too much” in a situation, but I as I yield to Him knowing He always has my best interests at heart, I get over it as well.

“Lord, give us wisdom to know when to act and when to wait for You to act. When we are supposed to act (or in a position to act), give us courage to love people too much to let them continue in destructive or self-sabotaging ways. Give us strength to be obedient when You tell us to stand aside and let You handle it. Help us to lean into You when You are doing the same with us. Amen.”