Reflections: God's love in Relationships...
I watched a TV drama recently that showcased emotional abuse in the context of domestic violence. Something stood out to me. Victims of emotional abuse often go back to their abusers as though there is a twisted play on emotions at work. It takes them several tries to make a clean break. It made me contrast those unhealthy abusive relationships to our healthy love relationship with God, since to me, the way God loves us should really be the benchmark for love in other relationships. I can't help but conclude that these two types of relationships are complete opposites. God is the ultimate picture of love. He loves wholly, unconditionally, without manipulation and without violating our free will. Recipients of God's love also return to God. The freedom we experience in God should make us want to stay and enjoy it rather than run from it. God's love is a pure kind of love. It removes fear rather than instils fear, and it shows us how to trust by m...