I have loved you, [just] as the Father has loved Me; abide in My love [continue in His love with Me]. John 15:9 (AMP)
Do you ever struggle with bad habits?
Often people try to use self-discipline alone to change their behaviour, and then they experience guilt and shame when they have a setback. While self-discipline isn’t a bad idea, sometimes they need to dig a little deeper. The root of the problem may be that they’re not experiencing God’s love. They may be trying to fill a void that only His love can fill.
Addiction, people-pleasing and codependent behaviour are examples of people trying to reach out to get a need met the wrong way. They have work to do on their belief systems, habits and behaviours, but they also need to experience the unconditional, agape love of God.
What is agape love?
When babies are born, they really don’t do a thing to deserve love. They mess their pants, scream when they’re not happy and keep their parents up all night, yet they are loved so much that their parents would lay down their lives for them. They are unconditionally loved.
This is how God loves you. This is agape love. It is the highest, most sacrificial level of love possible.
If you’ve been trying to make a change in your life and you just can’t seem to break the habit, try changing your focus. Keep using self-discipline of course, but what would happen if you spent a solid month also focusing on and studying God’s agape love for you?
You have infinite worth to God, just as you are. His love is completely unconditional and He wants you to experience it fully. Start opening yourself up to God’s agape love today.