LOVE: IT IS MULTI-FACETED

Good Morning & Happy Sunday – I pray your weekend is going well.

TODAY – we will continue our discussion on LOVE;

We will be taking a look at the multi-faceted nature of love when it comes to EROS LOVE

OFTEN – when researching information on love, I find that love is tackled singularly;

Looking at each of the four types individually: AGAPE, STORGE, PHILEO, EROS

However, they are all intertwined when considered in the scope of a romantic type of love.

Love is fabulous and the romantic side of love is the primary focus at this time of year.

However, that love must have its foundations in all four types of love in order to truly be successful.

YESTERDAY – We discussed in detail the importance of PHILEO LOVE

So, today I would like to follow-up by focusing on AGAPE and STORGE – as relates to EROS

At the onset of our discussion, we talked about AGAPE LOVE and how our view of God’s love has a direct impact on our ability to not only receive love from Him but to give love to and receive love from others. We are reminded that agape love is the highest expression of love. It is selfless and unconditional – it is godly. It not only speaks to the love that God has for us and has demonstrated toward us; It also speaks to the love He expects for us to have for others

• John 3:16 tells us, ‘God so loved [AGAPE] the world, that He gave His only begotten Son.’ He gave His best!
• The expectation of the LORD is conveyed in John 13:34, ‘A new command I give you: Love [AGAPE] one another. As I have loved [AGAPE] you, so you must love [AGAPE] others.’
• These sentiments are echoed in the greatest command shared by Jesus in Matthew 22:38-39 ‘You shall love [AGAPE] the LORD your God…; you shall love [AGAPE] your neighbor…’
• Lastly, we see the saints admonishing one another in I John 4:11, ‘Dear friends, since God so loved [AGAPE] us, we also out to love [AGAPE each other].

It is possible [and expected] that we should have this type of love [AGAPE LOVE] for one another. And it plays a vital role in the foundation of a romantic [EROS LOVE] relationship. However, it is not possible to know how to love this way if you do not first experience the love of God for yourself.  It must also be understood that this love – agape love – is more than a feeling; it is a resolve. This type of love – agape love – is a choice; not based upon external factors. And it lays a solid foundation for a romantic type of love.

LIKEWISE – family love [STORGE] plays an important role in romantic [EROS] love and relationships. If an individual has not had positive experiences  or role models in the area of love [STORGE], it can have an impact on how they view love, how they demonstrate love and their ability to receive love from another. Notice that I said it ‘can’ impact the individual, not that ‘it will’. If yours was not an experience where there were positive demonstrations of STORGE/FAMILY love – it is not a lifetime sentence on your ability to have positive love experiences. Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. [II Cor. 5:17] Yet, it is important to understand how your earliest experiences with love ‘can’ shape some of the perspectives you hold regarding love.

If your family was not one that was outwardly expressive with love – it can impact how you demonstrate love:

• Did they say, ‘I love you’? Or was it simply understood?
• Were there physical manifestations of love in the way of hugs?
• Was love demonstrated through the purchase and giving of gifts?
• Was love conveyed through meaningful conversation and/or time spent together?

All these things play a role in how we demonstrate love and how we believe it should be displayed –

• They shape the expectations which we carry into romantic relationships.
• Further, these earliest ideas and concepts are not easily unlearned.
• And I am not saying there is a right or wrong way  or whether something needs to be unlearned. But it is important to understand how you and your partner view and demonstrate love.

Your experiences with AGAPE, STORGE & PHILEO LOVE all have an impact on how you approach and manage EROS LOVE: It is important because, when you have an understanding on how each person views love and displays love, it will go a long way in helping to eliminate inflated & unrealistic expectations and minimize the potential for disappointment.

Are you starting to understand why I will need to extend our discussion through the end of February? This thing called love is multi-faceted and so dynamic that is a challenge to ensure it is addressed clearly, completely and succinctly.

I pray the discussion we are having on love is somewhat beneficial.

I would love to hear from you in the comments section below.

Praying You Have a Blessed Day!

Wishing You Much Love …