The expression, “tough love”, conjures up certain images in one’s mind. Perhaps you see a drill sergeant hammering the troops under his control into submission.
Spiritually speaking, that’s not what tough love is about;
it’s not about displaying a rough, hard-nosed demeanour or forcing Christianity
upon your relatives or beating people over the head with your bible.
Apostle Paul says that if a Christian is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help him back onto the right path… (Galatians 6:1 TLB)
Tough love is exhibited in gentleness and self-control which
are elements found in the Fruit of the Spirit…
what happens when we live
God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears
in an orchard—things like affection…We find ourselves…not needing to force our
way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. (ref. Galatians
5:22, 23 MSG)
Tough love is displayed when you do what’s best and not what’s
easiest for you, in like…
Do not take revenge on others
or continue to hate them, but love your neighbors as you love yourself. (Leviticus
19:18 GNT)
And…
But now I tell you: love your
enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (Matthew 5:44 GNT)
From a spiritual perspective, exercising tough love is indeed
tough to do but if you don’t correct your
children, you don’t love them. If you love them, you will be quick to
discipline them. (Proverbs 13:24 ERV)
However, decisions have spiritual implications, so before
exercising tough love you must pray about it as Proverbs 9:8 (GNT) advises to never correct conceited people; they will hate you for
it. But if you correct the wise, they will respect you.
In as much as you may be exercising tough love toward
others, remember that choices have consequences so you must be willing to
receive the tough love that is meted out to you; Galatians 6:1 says that even
as you are leading others back onto the right path, you must keep in mind that next time it might be one of you who is in the
wrong.
Tough love is another way to lay the foundation for leading others
to Jesus Christ.
Beloved, God shows His love for His children in many ways,
and you and I must follow His lead because according to 1 Corinthians 13:8, godly
love never fails, it endures forever and that same unfailing love is the reason
God Himself exercises tough love from time to time.
For the Lord
corrects and disciplines everyone whom He loves, and He punishes,
even scourges, every son whom He accepts and welcomes to His
heart and cherishes. (Hebrews 12:6 AMPC)
Both experiencing and exercising tough love opens your heart
to the lesson it brings. Tough love shifts your perspective when you recognize that
it’s not punishment for punishment’s sake but a divine gift to be appreciated,
as it cultivates a sense of mindfulness that enriches your spiritual journey.
Amen †
Shelley Johnson “Tough Love” ©2026 April 29, 2026
No comments:
Post a Comment